Go Montgomery! Special Edition Newsletter: Celebrating Women's Leadership in Transit

 

Celebrating Women's Leadership in Transit Meet the women whose leadership drives our communities forward and shapes the future of public transportation. DEANNA ARCHEY 21 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transit Services, Chief, Planning and Implementation Since beginning my career in transportation in 1988, I’ve been shaped by diverse experiences gained across multiple agencies primarily on the East Coast. What continues to inspire me is the opportunity to provide essential services to those who need them most while helping to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility for the broader community. Over the past three years, two accomplishments I’m especially proud of are launching Phase 1 of the Great Seneca Transit Network (GSTN) and completing the Ride On Reimagined comprehensive network redesign, both of which significantly advance our region’s transportation future. ZOULI BEREDDAD 3 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering, Project Executive Director (Contractor) My decision to pursue engineering was influenced by a deep personal curiosity and a passion for making a significant impact. I aspire to contribute to the creation of enduring, safe infrastructure that empowers and uplifts communities. The most rewarding aspect of my job is witnessing my work come to life, evolving from initial concepts into impactful infrastructure projects. I find great joy in mentoring young engineers, sharing knowledge to inspire the next generation of innovators. Currently, I am serving as the Executive Director for two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects in Montgomery County. The Veirs Mill Road BRT project is currently under construction, while the MD 355 BRT project is progressing through the preliminary design phase. Additionally, I recently worked on the Purple Line Light Rail project in Maryland. PHILAISHA CARTER 8 Years of Service MCDOT Ride On Safety and Training Instructor I have been with MCDOT for nearly eight years, and today I’m proud to serve as a Safety & Training Instructor for Ride On. I began my career as a bus operator at the Gaithersburg Depot and, after three years on the road, was promoted to Safety and Training Instructor in 2021. For the past five years, I’ve helped new operators build confidence and launch meaningful careers, and each time we celebrate a new bus operator graduation, it’s rewarding to know I played a part in their success. The most fulfilling part of my job is guiding trainees through each stage of their learning until everything finally comes together. Whether we are on the training track, in the classroom, or out on the road, I stay by their side until they can perform every skill with confidence. I was inspired to become an instructor by a former supervisor who demonstrated what true guidance looks like. He was knowledgeable, effective, and genuinely passionate about helping others. His example motivated me to support trainees with that same level of dedication. My message to women considering a career in transit is to stay true to your integrity, work hard, and learn everything you can. There is real growth and opportunity waiting at MCDOT! CHRISTINA CONTRERAS 28 Years of Service MCDOT Director’s Office, Strategic Projects Implementation Manager My career has been shaped by several significant influences. Foremost among them was my father, who encouraged me to pursue the engineering profession and planted the seed to my future career path. Early in my career, I also benefited from guidance within a private, family-oriented engineering firm where mentors recognized and supported my developing interest in civil engineering and encouraged me to continue pursuit of my degree in Civil Engineering and ultimately my Professional Engineering Licensure. Additionally, my current and several of my former County supervisors consistently promoted my professional growth by encouraging continuous opportunity and advancement in both my technical capabilities and overall career development. I am responsible for advancing several critical County funded capital projects as part of the Purple Line construction, including the Capital Crescent Trail, the Bethesda South Metro Entrance, and the Silver Spring Green Trail. My work on the Purple Line includes serving as the primary day to day construction liaison for MCDOT and the County, coordinating with a multidisciplinary project team and numerous partner agencies and stakeholders. This effort supports the delivery of a vital transit corridor designed to connect diverse communities and enhance mobility along the 16.2 mile corridor between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George’s County also providing connectivity to four major WMATA Metro Stations. I have more than 35 years of civil engineering experience spanning both private sector development and public sector capital project delivery. I have supported the planning and conceptual development of a future transit center to enhance multimodal connectivity within the County. I have also led and contributed to multiple competitive grant applications aimed at securing federal and state funding to advance critical transportation infrastructure, including efforts to support construction of a new entrance to the WMATA Red Line. MARICELA CORDOVA 6 Years of Service MCDOT Director's Office, Special Assistant to the Director, Strategic Projects I am an executive with 30 years of experience in the delivery of innovative architectural, engineering and construction programs for federal, local and private clients in the U.S. and Latin America ranging from $5 million to over $9 billion dollars. I currently serve as MCDOT’s Special Assistant to the Director and am responsible for the planning, oversight, executive leadership, and implementation of critical priority transportation and transit projects. This includes overall contract management of the P3 Design-Build Purple Line light rail project for the County, development of the County’s Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan, planning for a new zero-emissions bus depot, project management of a new Transit Center project in support of the MD 355 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, and the implementation of the North Bethesda North Metro Entrance project as the key stone of a new transit-oriented development. I provide executive oversight of strategic projects such as the County’s more than 100 stops along eight routes BRT system in different stages of planning, design and construction through various contract methodologies. I was honored to have recently been appointed and commissioned as a member of the Maryland Transportation Authority by the Governor of Maryland. The most rewarding aspect of my career has been helping bridge the gap between our regional transportation systems and the diverse communities we serve, particularly through addressing bilingual needs and culturally responsive outreach. PAM DESTINO 14 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering, Project Manager (Contractor) From a young age, I knew I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps to become a civil engineer. After graduating from Virginia Tech, I went on to obtain my Professional Engineer’s license while working as a consultant on transit and transportation improvement projects for various government agencies throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The best part of my job is when our projects are implemented, and open to the public. My first experience driving on a roadway I provided design and construction services for was an incredible experience. The real thrill is to see something you create help improve people’s lives. The Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit project will have a similar effect, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be working on it with the County for the past few years. It is exciting to see construction beginning along the corridor and seeing that vision realized. LATIKA OCHIENG 18 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transit Services (Ride On), Depot Chief, Silver Spring Depot I began my career with the County in 2007 as a Transit Bus Operator, driven by a desire to build a better life for my family and a passion for serving my community. I took pride in connecting with people from all walks of life and knowing that my work made a real difference in their daily lives. As I advanced to Transit Training Instructor, I had the privilege of teaching new operators the skills they needed to succeed—helping them not only build confidence behind the wheel but also improve their quality of life. Later, as a Transit Operations Supervisor, I served as a trusted resource and mentor for bus operators, contributing to a stronger, more cohesive operations team. Over the years, I’ve gained valuable insight, grown as a leader, and deepened my commitment to public service. The most rewarding part of my career has been witnessing the positive impact of my efforts—seeing colleagues develop, thrive, and reach their goals while building meaningful relationships along the way. A few accomplishments I’m especially proud of include serving as a founding member of the first Ride On Bus Roadeo Committee, leading the Blue Book Committee to revise and update our Standard Operating Procedures for greater consistency and efficiency, and making history as the first Woman of Color to serve as Depot Chief in the history of Ride On. HALEY PECKETT 2 Years of Service MCDOT Director’s Office, Deputy Director, Transportation Policy and Planning I grew up in a very car-centric Central Florida, where I watched orange groves dismally turn into car dealerships and strip malls. I learned that urban planning is a way to envision and create the communities that reflect our values, as opposed to indiscriminately paving over our natural spaces. Working across federal, state, and local government, what I love most is working with people who are passionate about a place and helping translate their ideas into plans, funding, and projects. My role at MCDOT is often to be a connector, so I’m always thinking about where we have shared interests with other agencies or individuals across the state and region. In the short time I’ve been at the County, we’ve gone from less than a mile of bus lanes to more than 12 lane miles, made huge strides in five Bus Rapid Transit projects, passed legislation to allow automated bus lane enforcement in Maryland, set up a partnership with MCPD and WMATA, and passed a major regional initiative to prioritize transit funding. With so many advances at one time, my job is to keep up internal and external momentum, while coordinating between all of the partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders to make sure that our transit successes build upon each other. DEWA SALIHI 18 Years of Service MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering, Construction Section Chief Having fled Afghanistan as a baby with my family, I grew up witnessing the systematic dissolution of my homeland, including its infrastructure. Growing up I wanted to pursue a career that would enable me to help rebuild the destruction left behind by war. This sparked my interest in civil engineering and led to my career with MCDOT. The best part of my job is working through challenges and seeing my team’s hard work come to fruition. I am especially proud of two key projects: White Flint West and the Great Seneca Transit Network project. Both projects improved connectivity within the County. I am proud to be MCDOT’s first female Construction Chief.   For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news by phone or email.

MCDOT's March 2026 Go Montgomery! Newsletter - MCDOT Offers Adult Bike and E-Scooter Classes This Spring

 

MCDOT Offers Adult Bike and E-Scooter Classes in April, May and June MCDOT will offer low-cost adult bike classes in April, May, and June. The classes will include 11 Learn to Ride classes and one Basic Skills class. MCDOT will also offer two free, walk-up e-scooter classes following select bike classes.    Advance registration is required to participate in the bicycle classes, with a cost of $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) or Capital Bikeshare for All members; however, registration is still required.     Participants in the Learn to Ride bicycle classes will learn how to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal, and steer a bike. Each student will progress at their own pace. Students in the Basic Skills class should be able to ride a bicycle and will continue to practice basic biking skills. The classes are open to residents 18 and over, are limited to 25 people, and fill up quickly.    Registration for May classes will open on the WABA website at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, and for June classes at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 1.    Adult Learn to Ride bike class schedule:    Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Register now. Davis Construction at Twinbrook Metro Center I, Rockville. Sunday, April 12, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Register now. Germantown Community Recreation Center, Germantown. Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Register now. Montgomery College, Parking Lot 13, Rockville. *Free scooter class to follow.  Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Upper County Community Recreation Center, Gaithersburg.  Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center, White Oak. Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Farm Women’s Market, Parking Market Lot 24, Bethesda.  Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.  Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot), Bethesda. Sunday, May 31, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, Burtonsville.  Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m.-noon.  Wheaton Ice Arena (back parking lot), Wheaton.  Sunday, June 7, 9 a.m.-noon. Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot), Bethesda. *Free scooter class to follow.  Sunday, June 14, 9 a.m-noon. Farm Women’s Market, Parking Market Lot 24, Bethesda.  Adult Basic Skills bike class schedule:    Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m.-noon. Montgomery College, Parking Lot 13, Rockville.  Residents can drop in anytime during the two-hour adult e-scooter classes immediately following the bike classes on Saturday, April 25 in Rockville and Sunday, June 7 in Bethesda. E-scooter classes do not require pre-registration. Anyone 18 or over with a valid driver’s license or ID can stop by. E-scooters and helmets will be provided.    To register and for future inclement weather cancellations, visit MCDOT’s website or call 240-777-8380.   MCDOT Addresses Potholes from Winter Storm MCDOT filled 1,543 potholes during a “Pothole Blitz” on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 12, following the January snowstorm. The two-day blitz was planned to quickly service potholes on 5,400 lane miles of County-maintained roads. More than 125 MCDOT employees were deployed over the two-day period to repair roads damaged in the recent winter storm. Residents can report potholes on County roads online or by calling 311 or 240-777-0311. Residents can submit requests for pothole repair on state roads to the Maryland State Highway Administration's Online Service Request Form or by calling 301-513-7300. State roads are identified by having a road number assigned, such as MD 355 or Route 97/Georgia Avenue. Residents living within local municipalities, including the City of Rockville and Gaithersburg, should submit pothole repair requests to their municipalities. Draft New Hampshire Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Study is Now Available Online The Montgomery County Planning Board will review and make a recommendation on MCDOT’s Draft New Hampshire Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Study at an upcoming meeting on Thursday, March 12. Public feedback is encouraged. The public can sign up to participate or submit written comments online. The New Hampshire Avenue corridor also travels through Prince George’s County. At a February 19 meeting, the Prince George's County Planning Board voted to concur with the report's recommendation of the Hybrid Alternative as the locally preferred alternative. MCDOT completed the New Hampshire Avenue Corridor Study, which considered how to implement BRT from Fort Totten in D.C. to Randolph Road in Colesville. The study recommends a BRT concept that includes a combination of curbside bus lanes, queue jumps, and transit signal priority that will deliver faster and more reliable transit on New Hampshire Avenue.  For further information, visit the project website or email NHAveBRT@montgomerycountymd.gov. The public can sign up to receive project updates via email. Montgomery County Increases Impaired Driving Enforcement and Offers Safe Ride Options on St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17   MCDOT, Police Department and Alcohol Beverage Services are urging residents who choose to celebrate with alcohol during the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday to drink responsibly and to plan ahead for a safe ride home. Montgomery County offers the following safe ride home options: SoberRide is a free ride home program for adults offered through the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) in partnership with Lyft. A limited number of promotional codes for Lyft will be posted at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, on SoberRide.com and can be used only once during the aforementioned period. The codes are valid for up to $15 off one Lyft ride home taken in Lyft’s Washington, D.C. coverage area nightly from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., from Wednesday, March 17, through Wednesday, March 18. Participants must be 21+. MCDOT’s Ride On bus has zero fare for all riders on all County buses. There are currently over 80 daily routes throughout the County. Download the free regional public transit app Ride On Trip Planner to plan your next trip. To learn about other year-round safe ride options, visit the County’s Vision Zero Safe Ride home webpage. Ride On Bus System Opens Doors to Science and Technology Opportunities for Students MCDOT Ride On buses are helping a local nonprofit expand opportunities for underrepresented students by providing access to its life sciences career training program.  Learning Undefeated provides advanced scientific coursework, hands-on lab experience, and career counseling to high school and college students interested in science careers. Montgomery County has provided Learning Undefeated with more than $250,000 in grant funding since 2021.    Because many students enrolled in the program do not have a private vehicle, Learning Undefeated prioritizes access to public transportation.   Grace Chi, a sophomore in Global Ecology Magnet Program at Poolesville High School, relied on Ride On bus service as a member of the 2025 Emerging Leaders program.  “I used Ride On every day to go to the lab facility at Montgomery College,” said Chi. “My mom uses the car to get to her job during the day, and I needed another mode of transport. I took two buses, the 56 Lakeforest, and then I transferred to the 55 Rockville, and that bus took me to Montgomery College in Rockville. The timing, it might sound like a while, but it was convenient because the buses come so frequently.”  MCDOT's Ride On bus service offers students a reliable transportation option to the research laboratory facilities at the Montgomery College Rockville campus, where they receive hands-on technical training, as well as to employers in the biotechnology industry, which hosts student mentoring and networking events.  Elementary School (K-5) Students Invited to Participate in Annual Pedestrian Safety Art Contest MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program is hosting its sixth annual Pedestrian Safety Art Contest that is open to all Montgomery County Elementary Schools (k-5). Students are encouraged to use their creative thinking and unique artwork to educate themselves and others about pedestrian safety. The goal of the contest is to educate students and encourage them to practice safe walking behaviors to and from school. The winning artwork should reflect the best ways to stay safe and the things to avoid while walking. It should also highlight road safety measures. The contest will open on Monday, March 16, and run through Friday, April 17. Students are encouraged to use creative thinking to educate about pedestrian safety. See the 2025 art winners on the contest website. MCDOT Seeking Feedback on the Redwing Road Sidewalk Proposal in Bethesda The Redwing Road Sidewalk Proposal will provide a five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk on the west side of Redwing Road between Stardust Lane and Goldsboro Road (MD 614) in Bethesda. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final design and the decision on installing all or a portion of the project. The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online comment form or by email to Planning Specialist Lori Main at Lori.Main@montgomerycountymd.gov by Wednesday, March 11. In all public meetings and hearings, written comments carry the same weight as oral comments and information provided will become a matter of public record. MCPD Focusing on Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Initiative Through Saturday, March 14 The Montgomery County Police Department’s (MCPD) Traffic Operations Division is participating in Montgomery County’s Vision Zero “Wave” initiative through Saturday, March 14. MCPD officers will conduct education and outreach focusing on pedestrian safety behaviors that contribute to serious and fatal crashes, including speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, and other traffic violations that put pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers at risk. The goal of this effort is to improve roadway safety, raise awareness of traffic laws, and support the County’s Vision Zero goal of reducing serious and fatal crashes. RIDE ON SEVICE UPDATES Closure of Medical Center Bus Loop in Bethesda to Impact Ride On Bus Routes 34 and 46 on Select Sundays Through Spring 2026 Due to Metrorail construction, the bus loop at the Medical Center Metro Station will be closed on select Sundays through Spring 2026, which will impact MCDOT’s Ride On Bus Routes 34 and 46.  As depicted in the map above, Ride On Bus Routes 34 to Wheaton and 46 to Montgomery College Rockville will use Bus Bay H (stop #25504) and Bus Routes 34 to Bethesda and 46 to Medical Center will use Bus Bay G (stop #25646) on Rockville Pike during the closures. Ride On Routes 30, 33, 70, and Ride On extRa 101, which use the loop during weekday service, will not be impacted as they do not operate on Sundays.  Construction work will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 3. Ride On Discontinues a Route 38 Bus Stop on Veirs Mill Road in Silver Spring Beginning Friday, March 13 Beginning Friday, March 13, Ride On bus route 38 will discontinue service at the bus stop on Veirs Mill Road at Gail Street (number 26828), just outside Rockville in Silver Spring. The stop will be replaced by a new bus stop further west (towards Rockville) on Veirs Mill Road at Centerhill Street (number 26826). Metrobus will continue to use the original bus stop. For real-time bus arrival and departure information, download the Ride On Trip Planner app from the Apple Store or Google Play to plan your rides, or use the online trip planner website from your desktop/laptop browser. PARTNER NEWS WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY  (WMATA) METRO Regional Lawmakers Propose $460M Metro Funding Plan Maryland and Virginia lawmakers are advancing funding proposals aimed at stabilizing the region’s bus and rail system. It’s a transit network that has 11 Metrorail stations in Montgomery County, in addition to hundreds of bus stops, that thousands of residents rely on as a critical part of their daily commutes. Regional leaders have endorsed recommendations that include adding about $460 million in new annual capital funding for Metro. The plan calls for the funding to increase about 3% each year to keep pace with inflation and support long-term infrastructure needs. Read MCMYMedia article. Metro Begins Tap. Ride. Go. Parking Upgrades Across System, Expanding Contactless Payments Metro announces the launch of Tap. Ride. Go. parking upgrades at Metro-owned parking facilities, beginning with Addison Road station, which will become the first location to accept contactless payment. As installations progress across the service area, Metro will update an online tracker at wmata.com/tapridego showing which parking facilities accept Tap. Ride. Go. payments. The tracker will be updated regularly as additional parking facilities come online.  Metro Ready to Move Big Crowds During the National Cherry Blossom Festival Metro is the official transit partner of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a celebration that runs from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, April 12 and kicks off the Spring and tourist season in the DMV. Bright blue, pink, fuchsia, and white cherry blossom-themed Metro vehicles will hit the tracks and streets on March 20. One train, three buses, and one Metro Access vehicle will be wrapped for cherry blossom season through the end of April.  Customers can find their location by visiting wmata.com/live and clicking on “special edition” when the vehicles go out later this month. Metro is also partnering with the National Cherry Blossom Festival on the annual release of a commemorative Smart Trip card that will be available at seven stations on Friday, March 20. WMATA Board of Directors Approves Expansion of U-Pass Program to Reach More Students Across the Region On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Metro Board of Directors voted to approve a major expansion and modernization of Metro’s University Pass (U-Pass) program, an initiative designed to give more college students affordable, unlimited access to transit while supporting ridership growth and institutional partnerships. MARYLAND STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION (MDOT SHA) MDOT SHA Makes Ramp Metering Signals Fully Operational Along Northbound I-270; Operation Expected to Save Drivers Up to 30 Minutes on Morning Commute  Last month, SHA made new ramp meters fully operational on 16 ramps on northbound I-270 in Frederick and Montgomery counties. Ramp metering is a part of the I-270 Innovative Congestion Management (ICM) Project, an effort to reduce recurring congestion and improve travel time reliability along the heavily traveled 34.4-mile corridor between I-70 in Frederick County and I-495 (Capital Beltway) in Montgomery County. When ramp metering is in operation, motorists will encounter advance warning signs with flashing beacons indicating the signals are active. Drivers merging onto I-270 from ramps should be prepared to stop at the marked stop line on the ramp. When the signal turns green, motorists may proceed and merge onto I-270.  The ramp metering signals are intended to release one vehicle at a time from each lane, improving overall traffic flow. They are anticipated to be active during peak travel periods or when congestion is present on I-270. Once fully operational, the ramp meters are expected to save some drivers up to 30 minutes during the morning commute. MDOT SHA Improves Several State Roads in Montgomery County; ​Drivers Can Expect Lane Closures During Work Hours MDOT SHA will begin a series of pavement improvement projects at various locations in Montgomery County beginning in early March. ​Drivers can expect off-peak single-lane closures from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and nighttime operations from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. The exact work hours may be adjusted based on traffic conditions at specific locations and will include flagging operations and ​single- or double-lane closures, as needed. State roads to be improved are listed online. AMTRAK Amtrak Launching Express Bus Service Between Metro Richmond and D.C. During Construction A new express bus service connecting Metro Richmond and Washington, D.C. will launch March 7, providing additional travel options for passengers during ongoing rail construction tied to the Long Bridge Project. Read the Henrico Citizen article. IN THE NEWS Why Full Buses Are a Car Commuter's Dream Even a 5-10% drop in cars on the road can dramatically ease congestion, making healthy transit systems a win-win for transit users and drivers alike. Read the Planetizen article. For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news by phone or email.  MARCH 2026 Major Construction to Impact Red Line Service This Summer From Monday, July 6 to Sunday, Sept. 7, Metro will complete major construction on the Red Line. During this period, trains will not operate between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights. Free shuttle buses will replace trains at the following stations: Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, and Bethesda. JOIN OUR TEAM MCDOT is hiring for the following positions (open until filled):  Public Service Worker III, Grade 12. Engineer Technician I/II, Grade 17/18. Traffic Engineering Studies Section Chief, Manager III. Engineer III, Grade 25.  Overhead Transportation System Technician I/II, Grade 14/18.  For other county openings, benefit information and to apply, visit Montgomery County's Career website. Report: US Transit Returns $5 for Every $1 Invested The analysis finds that every $1 billion invested in public transit yields 41,400 jobs, $251 million in tax revenue, and “$3.6 billion of value is realized in improved access to jobs and healthcare, reduced congestion and lower household transportation costs.” Read the Planetizen article. MCDOT Receives 82 Teen Video Entries for the 'Heads Up Phones Down' Safety Video Contest  MCDOT’s annual “Heads Up, Phones Down” contest invited teens to create short videos promoting the importance of focusing on their surroundings instead of their phones while walking or driving. Students can win prizes worth up to $800 and Student Service Learning hours for their efforts. MCDOT received 82 entries from 20 county high schools illustrating the dangers of distracted driving. Winners will be announced during school visits and on the contest website on Friday, March 20. MCDOT's Annual Street Sweeping Program to Begin in April MCDOT's annual Street Sweeping Program is set to begin the first week of April. This effort will run through July and will sweep 4,100 lane miles of residential roadways.  These efforts help to promote the health of local watersheds by removing salt and debris that would otherwise drift into waterways.  Get Out Your Bike, Friday, March 20 is the First Day of Spring Take time to enjoy the outdoors with a casual bike ride through your neighborhood, a park, or trail, or visit D.C.’s cherry blossoms. Here are some useful resources to help: View this video on how to secure your bike on the Ride On and Flash buses. View Montgomery Parks bike trail directory. Use MCDOT’s bikeway map to find the closest bike path/trail near you. With weather warming up and longer days on the horizon, it is a great time to get out and walk or go on a bike ride for exercise. MCDOT Begins Paving Projects MCDOT will begin road resurfacing within Connecticut Avenue Park in Silver Spring. The project will start on or around Monday, March 16 and will take roughly 6-8 weeks to complete.  View the project flyer for construction details. Residents can view upcoming paving projects online.    Residents can make County road repair requests by calling MC311 or submitting a service request online.    MCDOT Begins Public Parking Garage Washing and Degreasing on Monday, April 13 MCDOT will begin its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton. The cleanings will begin in the Bethesda garages on Monday, April 13 and end in the Silver Spring garages on Tuesday, June 9. View the full garage cleaning schedule online. These efforts work to remove grease and oil that would otherwise end up in our waterways. MCDOT Arborists Confirms Squirrel's Nest in Trees MCDOT arborists have received several 311 reports about possible bee nests in county trees. After inspection, most of these turn out to be squirrel nests, also known as dreys. They’re especially easy to spot this time of year and are completely harmless. SAVE THE DATE: UPCOMING FREE EVENTS GREENFEST Will Be Held on Saturday, April 25 GreenFest is the largest countywide environmental celebration in Montgomery County, attracting over 1,000 attendees. The event will take place at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, located at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Learn more on the event website. MCDOT's "Community Safety Day" to be Held on Saturday, May 9: Accepting Vendor Applications MCDOT will host a free, family-friendly, student-led “Community Safety Day” event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at the Carver Educational Services Center parking lot located at 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. The rain date will be Saturday, May 16. The fair will highlight safety demonstrations, music, and children's activities including free giveaways and prizes. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Montgomery County Recreation are co-sponsoring the event.   Vendors interested in participating can fill out the online form. Safety Day is being organized by members of the County’s Vision Zero Youth Ambassador  program. View photos from last year's event. MCDOT Takes Part in Bike to Work Day Friday, May 15; Registration is Open “Bike to Work Day,” an annual celebration of bicycling to work will be held on Friday, May 15 with pit stops throughout Washington D.C. and Montgomery County. The first 18,000 people to register and participate will receive a free T-shirt and will automatically be entered into a raffle for a new bicycle. Pit stop locations throughout the County will welcome bicyclists with refreshments, vendor displays, live music, giveaways and raffle prize drawings. MCDOT will sponsor eight pit stops with refreshments, live music and local vendor displays. Learn more and register at biketoworkmetrodc.org. Take the Ride on Bus for Free Music in the Park This Spring Residents can enjoy free outdoor concerts at County parks with live performances from talented local musicians that the whole family can enjoy. Acoustics and Ales: Saturday, March 14 at North Four Corners Local Park in Silver Spring. Sunday Serenade: March 22 and 29 at the Cabin John Regional Park in Bethesda. The MCDOT Ride On Trip Planner app provides real-time trip planning, allowing riders to select their route, view live bus arrival times, and receive step-by-step navigation to their destination. Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.