Go Montgomery! September 21, 2018

Ride On Begins Customer Survey to Guide Planning for Transit Services To help guide planning for transit services, Ride On is randomly distributing a short survey to passengers. The survey will continue until the end of October. Read more. MCDOT’s Reza Zarif Invited to Speak at Microsoft Envision Conference MCDOT’s Reza Zarif was invited to speak at the Microsoft Envision conference. He will be discussing how MCDOT went from a paper and physical map system that assigned, routed and tracked snow plow operations to a digital, cloud-based one using off-the-shelf products. Read more. MCDOT’s Commuter Services to Sponsor City Cycling Classes with WABA MCDOT has scheduled four Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) City Cycling classes in Montgomery County. The classes are designed to boost riders’ confidence and teach them skills for all types of situations. Read more. MCDOT Garages Get “Fall” Cleaning Now through November, MCDOT garages in Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton are getting their fall thorough scrubbings. Twice a year, garages are completely washed and cleaned from top to bottom. These seasonal cleanings are in addition to the daily routine maintenance the garages receive year-round.  Participate in the 2018 Walk & Ride Challenge  Employees in the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, North Bethesda, Greater Shady Grove and Silver Spring Transportation Management districts can now register to participate in the Walk & Ride Challenge to win prizes and get healthy. Register by September 28. Learn more.  MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Two Projects Planned for Clarksburg The public hearing on two Clarksburg projects, intersection improvements and a new bike path, scheduled for Wednesday, September 26, has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Update on Wheaton Revitalization Levels P4 and P3 of the garage are complete and work on Level P2 is about 80% complete. View on site construction activities. Read weekly progress newsletter. Construction of the elevator slabs continues.

September 21, 2018 Car Free Day is Saturday, September 22 – get free rides from the Shady Grove Metro to the Germantown Transit Center, Black Hills Regional Park and the Clarksburg Outlets.  Celebrate Community Service Day with MCDOT: Donate Bikes, Bike Parts, and Helmets to Low Income Families Don’t forget to save your bikes for MCDOT’s Community Service Day, October 26.

---

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

Go Montgomery! September 14, 2018

MCDOT to Sponsor Special Car Free Day “Shop and Play” Celebration  MCDOT will be participating in Car Free Day on Saturday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. by -- for the first time -- offering free rides on designated Ride On buses from the Shady Grove Metro Station to the Germantown Transit Center, Black Hills Regional Park and Clarksburg Premium Outlets. Riders to the Outlets will receive discounts up to 65 percent off. At Black Hills’ Regional Park, riders can enjoy discounts on boat rentals and pontoon rides and take part in Monarch Butterfly Fiesta Day. Read more. Ride On Service Changes Begin Sunday, September 16 Beginning Sunday, September 16, Ride On will make changes to 19 bus routes. New service will be added to Routes 43 (new Sunday service), 76 (new Saturday service) and 90 (new midday service). Most other changes modify current bus schedules to more accurately reflect the time it takes for a bus to run its route based on traffic and other conditions. Read details. Learn More About Bethesda Bicycle and Pedestrian Capital Improvement Projects The public is invited to join MCDOT at a meeting on Tuesday, October 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (with a presentation at 6:45 p.m.) in the Bethesda Chevy Chase High School Cafeteria, 4301 East West Highway to discuss the design and construction of proposed bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements in Downtown Bethesda. Read more. School is in Session: Be Sure You Understand Maryland Law Requiring Vehicles to Stop for School Buses As the new school year begins, be aware that Maryland Law requires drivers to stop, and remain stopped, for a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an activated stop arm. Learn more about school bus safety and share the Understanding the School Bus Law information flyer with friends and family. September is National Preparedness Month Although Hurricane Florence is no longer a significant threat to Montgomery County, now is a perfect time to get organized and re-evaluate your family’s emergency plan. Emergencies such as winter storms, fires, floods and acts of terrorism present a real challenge for all. Sign up for Alert Montgomery. MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Two Projects Planned for Clarksburg MCDOT invites the public to attend a public hearing on Wednesday, September 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. to provide comments on two proposed projects: Clarksburg Road at MD 355 intersection improvements, which will include a sidewalk and shared use path; and MD 355 Clarksburg Bike Path Project, between Stringtown Road and Snowden Farm Parkway. Read more. Provide Comments to Metro About Expanding Cash-Free Boarding on Limited-Stop Routes Metro is considering expanding use of pre-loaded SmarTrip® card-only boarding on selected, limited-stop MetroExtra routes to speed service. The public is invited to provide comments by attending a public hearing on Monday, September 17 at 7 p.m. or taking an online survey, that is open until 9 a.m., September 24. Learn more.  Bethesda Blasting for Purple Line Construction to Begin Soon (From WTOP.com) Blasting at the site of the old Apex Building at Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street is expected to begin soon as construction of the Bethesda Purple Line Station and the direct elevator connection to the Red Line platform continues. See article. Planning Department Invites Public to Kick Off Meeting for Aspen Hill Vision Zero Study The Montgomery County Planning Department invites the public to the first meeting for the Aspen Hill Vision Zero Study on September 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Aspen Hill Library. Attendees will discuss Vision Zero – a plan to reduce fatalities from traffic accidents to zero by combating distracted driving, biking and walking; the role of Montgomery Planning; and how the community can be involved with the study. Spanish translation will be available. Learn more. Planning Board Continues Discussions on the Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan On September 20, the Montgomery County Planning Board will continue its discussions on the Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan Public Hearing Draft with additional work sessions anticipated in October. Learn more by visiting the plan webpage. **Correction from previous issue of Go Montgomery** Resurfacing of Executive Boulevard will occur in spring 2019, not this fall as previously reported. September 14, 2018 Participate in the 2018 Walk & Ride Challenge  Employees in the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, North Bethesda, Greater Shady Grove and Silver Spring Transportation Management districts can now register to participate in the Walk & Ride Challenge to win prizes and get healthy.  Registerby September 28 or by September 14 to save $10. Learn more.  Vote for Your Favorite PARK(ing) Day Parklet and You Could Win a Prize  Can’t participate in PARK(ing) Day, but plan to check out the fun “parks?” Choose your favorite park by going online and voting. You will automatically be entered into a random drawing for a $25 gift card. Get more information about entering the contest at any of the PARK(ing) Day parks. Read more.  Capital Bikeshare Begins E-bike Pilot Program Capital Bikeshare has launched a pilot project that adds about 100 electric bikes (e-bikes) to its fleet. The bikes will be distributed throughout the region with a handful possibly available at some of Montgomery County’s 83 stations. Riders can unlock the distinctive black e-bikes using their Capital Bikeshare key fob, or from the app, whether they are a current CaBi member or a casual rider purchasing a single trip or 24-hour pass. Learn more. Update on Wheaton Revitalization Work has been completed on the two deepest of the five underground garage levels, and work continues on the next one. Utility work is ongoing, including on Grandview Avenue. View on site construction activities. Read weekly progress newsletter. Construction of the elevator slabs

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

Go Montgomery! August 27, 2018

MCDOT is Sponsoring a PARK(ing) Day Contest: Vote for Your Favorite Space and You Could Win a Gift Card It’s not too late to sign up to participate in International PARK(ing) Day on September 21 in Bethesda or Silver Spring. Participants have until September 12 to sign up. Can’t participate, but plan to check out the fun “parks?” Choose your favorite park by going online and voting. You will automatically be entered into a random drawing for a $25 gift card. Get more information about entering the contest at any of the PARK(ing) Day parks. Read more. MCDOT Begins Installing Traffic Signals with Backplate Retroreflective Borders MCDOT recently installed the first County traffic signals with backplate retroreflective borders at the intersection of Darnestown and Glen Mill roads. The use of retroreflective borders will be the standard for all reconstructed and new traffic signals owned and installed by Montgomery County. The borders improve safety by enhancing the visibility of the signal in both daytime and nighttime. Read more. MCDOT Division of Parking Survey Shows High Overall Satisfaction with County’s Parking Facilities Parking permit holders and visitors to County-owned garages, lots and on-street parking spaces in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton were surveyed to find out what they thought of the County’s parking facilities. They received an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5. Read entire report. MCDOT Planning More Bicycle Infrastructure in White Flint This fall, MCDOT will be resurfacing Executive Boulevard and will use the opportunity to install one-way, separated bike lanes from Woodglen Drive to Nicholson Lane. The new five-foot-wide lanes will be located along the curb and include a two-to-three-foot striped buffer as well as vertical posts. On street parking will continue to be available and will be located seven feet from the face of the curb.  Leggett Seeks Applicants for Silver Spring Transportation Management District Advisory Committee County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill six vacancies on the Silver Spring Transportation Management District Advisory Committee representing three large (50 or more employees) and three small businesses from the Silver Spring central business district. Apply online by September 10. Learn More About the Region’s Transportation Plans by Participating in Visualize 2045 Visualize 2045 is the federally required, long-range transportation plan for the National Capital Region. It identifies all regionally significant transportation investments planned through 2045 plus those not yet funded. Learn more about the draft plan at an open house sponsored by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board on September 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Upcounty Government Services Center. Falling Creek Road Closed for Emergency Repairs During a routine inspection, MCDOT found that a 72-inch, corrugated metal storm drain pipe under Falling Creek Road in Silver Spring needed immediate replacement. The pipe carries water from the Paint Branch tributary. MCDOT will replace the failed pipe section, which will require the closure of a portion of Falling Creek Drive for an extended period of time. A detour route has been established. Upcoming Roadway Project Planned MCDOT will be replacing several asphalt bus pads with new concrete ones along Lost Knife Road between Odendhal and Montgomery Village avenues. Read more. Planning Board to Consider MCDOT Plans for Goldsboro Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements MCDOT has proposed pedestrian and bicycle improvements along a one-mile segment of Bethesda's Goldsboro Road, from River Road to MacArthur Boulevard. The proposal includes an expanded roadway with two, 11-foot-wide travel lanes; six-foot-wide cycle tracks in each direction; three-foot-wide, striped buffers with flex posts; and a concrete sidewalk. Read more. What Roadways and Sidewalks Can Bike Riders Use? By Maryland law, bicycles are vehicles, and bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Bicyclists can ride in the travel lanes of any roadway where the posted maximum speed limit is less than 50 miles an hour. Bicyclists are also allowed to ride in the shoulder of State roads – roads in Montgomery County that are numbered. Read more. August 27, 2018 Celebrate Community Service Day with MCDOT: Donate Bikes, Bike Parts, and Helmets to Low Income Families Have a bike that’s no longer needed? On Friday, October 26, MCDOT will once again sponsor a bike collection during this year’s Community Service Week celebration. Donate bicycles, bicycle parts, and/or helmets. Last year, more than 100 bikes were donated. Read more. Takoma Park News Features MCDOT’s Call-N-Ride Program Sam Oji, MCDOT’s chief of enhanced mobility and senior services section in the Division of Transit Services, was interviewed about MCDOT’s Call-n-Ride Program in the August Takoma Park Newsletter. The program increases transportation options for low-income residents 65 or older and for those with disabilities. Read more on Page 9: Getting Around Town by Helen Lyons. Wheaton Revitalization News Level P4 (the lowest level) of the parking garage is now complete and work has begun on Level P3. Follow project progress in real time through an onsite camera and read the details in a weekly Wheaton Revitalization newsletter. Level P3 Pour #3(August 20, 2018)

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.