Leggett Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary of His Pedestrian Safety Initiative; Efforts are Reducing Collisions and Saving Lives

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett celebrated the five-year anniversary of his December 2007 Pedestrian Safety Initiative, which for the first time provided a blueprint to improve pedestrian safety based on measurable strategies. 

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett celebrated the five-year anniversary of his December 2007 Pedestrian Safety Initiative, which for the first time provided a blueprint for action to improve pedestrian safety based on measurable strategies. 

 The Initiative outlined an approach to pedestrian and traffic safety that focused on three essential components: education, engineering and enforcement.  The Initiative significantly enhanced the County’s investment in educating motorists and pedestrians, keeping enforcement efforts visible and intensive and aggressively applying the most innovative and pedestrian-friendly road engineering designs. 

Some of the achievements of the Initiative include:

• Reducing pedestrian fatalities from a high of 19 fatalities in 2008 to 11 last year and six so far in 2012..
• Reducing pedestrian collisions 12 percent since 2009.
• Reducing the most severe collisions that incapacitate or kill pedestrians 21 percent since 2009.
• Reducing collisions 35 percent in areas where traffic calming measures have been installed. 
• Reducing collisions by 45 percent in High Incidence Areas (HIAs), locations with the highest concentrations of collisions.
• Reducing collisions by 72 percent within a quarter mile of schools targeted for engineering, education and enforcement activities under the Safe Routes to Schools program.

 For more information, see the press release or view the Initiative on the County’s website.

Old Georgetown Road Pedestrian Bridge Reopens

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has reopened the Old Georgetown Road pedestrian bridge after completing repairs.  The bridge crosses over Old Georgetown Road between Woodmont Avenue and Edgemoor Lane, connecting Bethesda Place to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, the Metropolitan Apartments and a 1,100-space public parking garage.

The truss bridge was built in 1999.  Work included repairs to the fascia girders and replacement of cladding, railings, the drainage system, concrete pavers and the expansion joint.  The bridge was also cleaned and repainted.  

Maryland Leaders Convene at Transportation Summit

Elected officials, policy makers and business leaders from across Maryland’s Baltimore-Washington region, including Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III and Charles County Commission President Candice Quinn Kelly, met in Annapolis on December 12 for a Maryland Transportation Summit. 

Attendees stressed the urgent need for investment in transportation projects statewide. Maryland must submit finalized financial plans to the federal government by mid-2013 to be eligible for federal funding.  Absent a revenue increase or federal aid, it is unlikely that projects, such as the Purple Line and the Red Line extension of the Baltimore Metrorail system will be constructed.  Preliminary funding for these projects runs out in 2014. 

Ceremony Honors Award Winners of the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful Annual Beautification and Amateur Photography Competitions

At the 26th annual Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) community beautification awards ceremony, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced 56 winners, honored 17 amateur photographers, presented two Clean Sweep Awards for the Adopt-A-Road program and presented two Grey Tolson Awards from the Forestry Board.

The beautification competition is open to community groups, businesses, public institutions and other organizations undertaking landscaping projects that enhance the appearance of commonly owned commercial or residential properties or County roadsides, medians or other public locations.

More than twenty years ago, concerned volunteers formed KMCB to help develop beautification projects and anti-litter and recycling programs.  The group also conducts public education to change resident attitudes about littering and graffiti. 

Business and organization sponsors of the annual ceremony included the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Bethesda Florist, Graffiti Abatement, Inc., and Penn Camera, Rockville.

More information on the award winners is available in the County’s press release.   

Transit Holiday Schedules for Christmas and New Year’s

Ride On bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule on both Christmas Day, December 25, and New Year’s Day, January 1.  On Monday, December 24, Christmas Eve, bus service will end early with the last trips departing terminals at around 10 p.m.  For information, call 311 or visit Ride On’s website.

The County’s TRiPS Commuter Stores in Silver Spring and Friendship Heights will be closed on both holidays.

Metrobus and Metrorail will operate on a Sunday schedule on both holidays, as well.  For more information, call 202-637-7000, or visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s website.

Parking at public garages, lots and curbside meters is free on both holidays. For more information, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website.

Bethesda Avenue-Woodmont Avenue Project Update

Work continues on the public-private partnership project located on the former parking lot (Lot 31) at the corner of Bethesda and Woodmont avenues in Bethesda:

•  On December 5, Clark Construction began blasting through dense, hard rock as it excavates the site.  The blasting will continue for two to three months, with about two blasts a day occurring only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Blasting was suspended on December 13 until after January 1.
•  Before an impending blast, a horn is sounded to notify those nearby.  The horn sounds about 15 minutes and five minutes prior to the blast, and then immediately after the blast.
•  Drivers are reminded that Woodmont Avenue remains closed from Miller to Bethesda avenues. Only automobiles with business on Miller Avenue or who use Miller Avenue to access their homes may enter Woodmont Avenue northbound at Wisconsin Avenue.
•  Seeding and mulching along the Capital Crescent Trail is complete. Overhead protection of the trail has been completed, as well as the restoration of the portion of the trail immediately adjacent to Lot 31.

 For more information on parking options in Bethesda, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website.

Parking Rates in Silver Spring and North Bethesda to Increase January 2, 2013

The Montgomery County Council approved a parking rate increase in Silver Spring and North Bethesda parking lots, garages and at meters as part of the fiscal year 2013 budget approved in May.  

The following new rates are effective January 2, 2013:

• Short term parking rates for the first four hours will increase from 75-cents an hour to $1 an hour. 
• Long term parking rates for more than four hours will increase from 60-cents an hour to 65-cents an hour. 
• The monthly parking convenience sticker will increase from $113 to $123.

For additional information on parking options in North Bethesda, Silver Spring or the other County parking lot districts, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website.   

Don’t Let a Holiday Celebration Become a Tragedy

Every year, more than 400 people are injured in alcohol-related collisions in Montgomery County.  Always designate a driver when attending an event where alcohol is served.  If someone at a party has had too much to drink, see that they get a ride home with someone sober, or call them a taxi. 

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), is a non-profit, public-private coalition formed to fight drunk driving.  Through state, federal and corporate funding, WRAP operates a free cab service called SoberRide.  Free rides home, up to a $30 fare, are available from the District or surrounding counties, including Montgomery County, by calling SoberRide at 800-200-TAXI.  Since 1993, SoberRide has provided 50,000 free cab rides to impaired drivers.

More information about taxi service in Montgomery County is available on the County’s website.  

Sierra Club Report Lists Purple Line as one of the 50 Best Projects in the U.S.

A November 2012 report by the Sierra Club on the 50 best and worst transportation projects in the U.S. included the Purple Line as one of the best.  It was the only Maryland project listed.  

The Purple Line is a proposed 16-mile light rail line that will link the two sides of the Red Line Metrorail sysem and link Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.  Planners estimate that the Purple Line will have 68,000 daily commuters.  

Metro Survey Seeks Public Input on Strategic Plan

Metro is seeking public input to help develop its strategic plan for the next decade and beyond through an online survey that will be available through December 31.  The survey asks customers for their opinions on a range of topics, including how to improve safety and service, how to make the system more accessible for people with disabilities and how to fund Metro.

Metro will use the survey results to help prepare for and identify priorities, including how best to improve safety, deliver quality service, meet future needs and help create transit-connected communities.

For more information, visit Metro’s website.    

Eyes Campaign and Shop With a Cop Promote Safety for Pedestrians, Drivers and Shoppers

The County has launched two public education campaigns to improve public safety that encourage residents to look out for each other during the busy holiday shopping season.  A new Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) pedestrian safety campaign features bus posters showing the eyes of two County students and the slogan, “Hey You, I’m Looking at You.”  The campaign focuses on the most important factors in reducing crashes: visibility of pedestrians and vigilance by drivers.  County Police also announced their “Shop with a Cop” campaign.  Police officers will patrol retail areas to provide extra security and remind shoppers to drive and walk safe -- especially in parking lots.

The “Eyes” campaign was developed by a group of Blair High School students and involved a contest conducted among students to have their eyes featured in the campaign materials.  The winning eyes remind pedestrians to establish eye contact with drivers, be visible and look both ways before crossing the street.  They also prompt drivers to look out for pedestrians.  

For more details about the programs and a list of pedestrian, driver and shopper safety tips, see the press release. For more information about pedestrian safety, go to the County’s website.

Visit MCDOT's New Pedestrian Safety Website

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has launched a redesigned pedestrian safety website that includes additional information on County pedestrian programs and services, progress on implementing the County Executive’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative and news items.  The site is also a resource for the Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, providing meeting packets, a membership roster and meeting summaries that can also be viewed by the general public.

Bethesda Woodmont Parking Lot Project Update

Construction work continues on a public-private partnership project that will more than triple the number of public parking spaces available on two surface parking lots in Bethesda (known as Lots 31 and 31A).  The lots are located at the intersection of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues. As of mid-November, about 50 percent of site excavation and shoring had been completed.

Woodmont Avenue, from Miller to Bethesda avenues, remains closed to traffic.  Only those with business on Miller Avenue or who live off Miller Avenue may enter northbound Woodmont at Wisconsin Avenue.

MCDOT Holds Annual Snow Summit

To make sure the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is prepared for winter weather, the Division of Highway Services (DHS) held its annual Snow Summit.  Kicked off by County Executive Ike Leggett, the summit brought together County crews and contractors to review snow removal strategies.  The  Division of Highway Services maintains nearly 5,000 lane miles of County roads.

The public is reminded to check DHS’ storm operations website map for information that may be needed during storm events, including road closures, snow plowing progress, access to traffic cameras, filing a service request, etc.

For more information, visit the Snow Emergency website.  

Starting in December, Ride On Customers Can Load Monthly Pass Onto SmarTrip® Cards

Ride On passengers will be able to load monthly passes onto their SmarTrip® cards, beginning with December’s pass.  The $45 monthly pass provides customers unlimited rides on Montgomery County Ride On buses for an entire calendar month.  Paper passes are being phased out and will no longer be available after January 31, 2013.  Passengers will continue to have the option of paying fares with cash.

Monthly passes can be loaded onto SmarTrip® cards either in person or online.  When adding value online, customers have the option of purchasing monthly passes automatically.  The automatic monthly pass value is then added to a purchaser’s card seven days before the end of every month. 

Customers who prefer to add the monthly pass value to a SmarTrip® card in person, may do so at the following locations:

• TRiPS Commuter Store: 8413 Ramsey Avenue, Silver Spring (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• TRiPS Commuter Store: 17 Wisconsin Circle, Friendship Heights (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Montgomery County Division of Treasury: 255 Rockville Pike, L-15, Rockville, (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Retailers, including some Giant Food and CVS Pharmacy stores in Montgomery County.  A full list of participating retail outlets is available online.  

Passes for two consecutive months may be loaded onto a SmarTrip® card at one time.  Customers should be aware that, once purchased, the two-month period for which the pass is active cannot be changed. 

Ride On passengers with monthly passes who use the express Route #70 will be charged an additional $2.05 for each trip, which will automatically be deducted from their SmarTrip® card upon boarding the bus.

A monthly pass purchased the 1^st through the 15^th of any month is active for the month in which it was purchased.  If the pass is purchased the 16^th through the end of the month, the pass will be valid for the following month. 

SmarTrip® card users are encouraged to register their SmarTrip® card online, so that the stored value won’t be lost if the card is misplaced. Customers can manage SmarTrip® information online, including viewing their card balance and usage history, adding multiple cards to their account, reporting a lost card, requesting a replacement card or transferring the balance to another registered card.

The Ride On monthly pass represents a 43 percent savings over paying cash fares on regular Ride On routes. Information about the SmarTrip® card is available online.  Ride On information is available on the County’s website or by calling 311, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 301-251-4850 TTY, or 240-777-0311 (from outside the County).  

Leaf Vacuuming Collection Continues Through Mid-December

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation Division of Highway Services (DHS) is conducting its annual vacuum collection of leaves in the southern part of the County now through mid-December. DHS will make two collections on every street in the vacuum leaf collection district during the fall.

Residents should look for signs posted along the streets announcing the collection dates in their neighborhoods. Green signs indicate the first collection, and red signs indicate the second and final collection.

The leaf vacuum collection district is bounded by I-495, I-270, the Rockville City limits, Norbeck, Bel Pre and Bonifant roads, Northwest Branch Park, and the District of Columbia and Prince George's County lines.

Leaves should be placed in piles or containers on the grass or behind the curb. Placing leaves in streets or alleys can disrupt traffic and surface drainage, hamper snow removal operations or pose a fire hazard to automobiles parked over them.

Collections are restricted to leaves only. Tree debris, sticks, branches or coarse garden debris should be placed in containers or tied in bundles not more than four feet long and placed where household trash is regularly picked up.

Residents who miss the two scheduled vacuum collections can still have their leaves collected by placing them in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers for pick up on their regular yard waste collection day. Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be accepted.

DHS reminds residents that although every effort is made to maintain the posted schedules, weather and equipment issues can affect the timing.

For more information, or to determine if a residence is within the boundaries of the leaf vacuum collection district, call 311, or go to the Department of Transportation’s website.

Metro Offers Enhances SmarTrip® Card

Metro now offers a $3 rebate to purchasers of the plastic, rechargeable SmarTrip® fare card.  The cards still costs $5, but a $3 credit is refunded to the card five days after its first use.  SmarTrip® online registration protects a rider’s balance if the card is lost or stolen and allows customers to add value to the card on the internet.

Riders are encouraged to take advantage of the discount offers available when using SmarTrip®.  For example, save 20-cents a ride, get free bus-to-bus transfers, and a 50-cent discount when transferring from bus to rail. 

Metro has added SmarTrip® card vending machines at all Metrorail stations.

To purchase a SmarTrip® card, go to Metro’s website. 

MCDOT Responds to Hurricane Sandy

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) was an integral part of the County’s storm response effort during Hurricane Sandy.  Staff served in the Emergency Operations Center, and the Division of Highway Services (DHS) kept their Storm Operations Center open throughout the emergency to coordinate responses to fallen trees flooding and other issues.  

Prior to the storm, DHS mobilized 20 tree crews and ramped up contractual resources to deal with damage and clean up.  

To help the public during the storm, MCDOT eliminated parking fees for County parking garages, lots and on-street meters for two days. 

DHS used their Storm Operations Map to provide information on closed roads.  The map was initially designed to show plowing progress during snow storms and now has been expanded for use year round.  View the map at DHS’ website. 

As winter approaches and with it, the threat of snow storms, MCDOT urges residents to prepare by removing leaves and debris from gutters, storm drain inlets and catch basins so rainwater or snow melt can easily flow, reducing possible flooding.

Should there be additional power outages at traffic signals, motorists are reminded that a new State law requires a driver approaching a non-functioning traffic signal to treat the intersection as a four-way stop and yield to any vehicle or pedestrian in the intersection. Violations of the new law carry a fine of $90 and two points if the offense does not contribute to an accident.  If the violation contributes to a collision, the fine is $130 and three points.

MC311 operated continuously during the worst part of the storm. Residents needing information are reminded to contact MC311 by calling 311 (TTY, call 301-251-4850) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or visit MC311’s website

County Leaf Collection has Started; Continues Through Mid-December

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation Division of Highway Services (DHS) is conducting its annual vacuum collection of leaves in the southern part of the County now through mid-December. DHS will make two collections on every street in the vacuum leaf collection district during the fall.

Residents should look for signs posted along the streets announcing the collection dates in their neighborhoods. Green signs indicate the first collection, and red signs indicate the second and final collection.

The leaf vacuum collection district is bounded by I-495, I-270, the Rockville City limits, Norbeck, Bel Pre and Bonifant roads, Northwest Branch Park, and the District of Columbia and Prince George's County lines.

Leaves should be placed in piles or containers on the grass or behind the curb. Placing leaves in streets or alleys can disrupt traffic and surface drainage, hamper snow removal operations or pose a fire hazard to automobiles parked over them.

Collections are restricted to leaves only. Tree debris, sticks, branches or coarse garden debris should be placed in containers or tied in bundles not more than four feet long and placed where household trash is regularly picked up.

Residents who miss the two scheduled vacuum collections can still have their leaves collected by placing them in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers for pick up on their regular yard waste collection day. Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be accepted.

DHS reminds residents that although every effort is made to maintain the posted schedules, weather and equipment issues can affect the timing.

For more information, or to determine if a residence is within the boundaries of the leaf vacuum collection district, call 311, or go to the Department of Transportation’s website.

Walk to School Day a Big Success This Year

Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation Director Art Holmes recently joined parents, teachers, and children around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day at the Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School in Silver Spring. He was joined by Councilmembers Valerie Ervin and Craig Rice, and other dignitaries  The annual event promotes safer streets, healthier lifestyles, and cleaner air. More than 40 schools across the County celebrated the day with various activities.

Supporters of the event included AAA Mid-Atlantic, Federal Express, Clif Kid, the Maryland Highway Safety Office, and various County agencies.

Montgomery County is upgrading safety at schools, thanks in part to the federal Safe Routes to School program created in 2005.  The program provides funding that communities can use to retrofit roads and create sidewalks and bike paths that allow children to safely walk or bike to school.  Funding also supports enforcement and education campaigns.  For more pedestrian safety information, visit the County’s website.

Forest Glen Gets Rehabilitated Streets and “Green Streets” Projects to Control and Treat Stormwater

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett announced that the rehabilitation of 17 lane miles of roads in three neighborhoods in Forest Glen has been completed through a program that is taking a more systematic and comprehensive approach to maintaining the County’s transportation infrastructure.

Most of the roads in Forest Glen targeted for reconstruction were in very poor condition. MCDOT removed and replaced deteriorated curbs and gutters, as needed, ground up the old roadway surface, further evaluated the road substructure for damage, patched where needed, and reconstructed the roads with hot mix asphalt.

The Forest Glen neighborhood is comprised of three Homeowners Associations: Forest Estates, Forest Grove and Northmont. The multi-year project proved to be an ideal time for the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to also make improvements in Forest Estates.  Through its Green Streets initiative, localized stormwater management features were incorporated into the County’s right-of-way. The components included rain gardens, bioretention gardens, and grass bioswales that channel runoff from paved surfaces to permeable soils, gravel and plants,  thus reducing pollution and improving stream water quality. The project is $1.00.  Each additional hour is $2.50. 

Visitors to County’s Rockville Offices can Now Pay to Park with Credit Card

Visitors to the Executive Office Building at 101 Monroe Street, the Council Office Building (COB) at 100 Maryland Avenue, or other County offices in downtown Rockville now can use credit cards -- in addition to cash -- to pay for parking.  Visitor parking is free in the COB garage , accessible from either Jefferson or Monroe streets.

The cashier at the garage will now accept your credit card and swipe it.  Penn Parking manages this garage under a contract with the Department of Transportation’s Parking Management Division.

Visitor parking is available for a fee between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The first hour is $1.00; each additional hour, $2.50.

The Jury lot on the corner of Jefferson and Monroe streets, across from the visitor garage, is reserved by County Security patrols for Circuit Court jurors until 9:30 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and sometimes, Thursdays.  After 9:30 a.m., parking in the lot is free.

For information on parking options in County parking lot districts, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website or call 311 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; TTY: 301-251-4850. 

Car Sharing Now Available in Montgomery County

Two car sharing companies, Zipcar and Hertz on Demand, have recently expanded the availability of their cars in Montgomery County following a competitive bid process.   Twenty-six vehicles are now available at 13 locations in Bethesda, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Montgomery Hills, and North Bethesda.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation provided public parking spaces for car sharing vehicles, and the companies are paying established parking rates for use of the County parking spaces.

The following new car share locations are prominently marked by signs:

Zipcar

• Metropolitan Garage, 7601 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda

• Bethesda Avenue between Woodmont Avenue and Arlington Road, Bethesda

• Cordell Avenue between Woodmont Avenue and Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda

• Ellsworth Drive between Fenton Street and Veterans Place, Silver Spring

• Fenton Street between Colesville Road and Cameron Street, Silver Spring

• Cameron Street between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street, Silver Spring

• Wheaton Market Place Lot, 11219 Grandview Avenue, Wheaton

• Parking Lot, Seminary Road and Sutton Place, 1920 Seminary Road, Montgomery Hills

• Executive Boulevard between Rockville Pike and Woodglen Drive, North Bethesda

Hertz On Demand

• Metropolitan Garage, 7601 Woodmont Avenue Bethesda

• Middleton Lane Parking Lot, 4538 Middleton Lane, Bethesda

• Bonifant/Dixon Garage, Silver Spring

• Fenton Street between Wayne Avenue and Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring

More information on using car share vehicles is available from Hertz and Zipcar.  For more information on the County’s programs promoting alternatives to driving alone – including car sharing – visit Commuter Services’ website or call Commuter Services at (240) 777-8380

Chinese Delegation Gets Advice from MCDOT

An 11-person delegation from the Tianjin Highway Administration, a northern Chinese city of 13 million people, recently visited the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) – the fifth such delegation MCDOT has hosted.  The group was interested in road and bridge construction, traffic safety, and maintenance.

The visitors heard about the Engineering Division’s new approaches to bridge replacements, using prefabricated components.  They learned about the Traffic Division’s Transportation Management Center and the recently completed signal modernization program.  Finally, Highway Services staff described their innovative use of GPS devices to guide snow removal crews through their routes. 

The visitors also toured the Bethesda Highway Depot and the Materials Testing Lab,    the only state-certified, County-run facility that tests concrete or asphalt used in road construction.  

Intercounty Connector Bike and Pedestrian Path Information Available

Information and maps about bicycle and pedestrian paths near the Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200 are now available on the ICC’s project website.

Montgomery and Prince George’s counties are still developing some segments of the bicycle/pedestrian plan.  Once the plan is completed, cyclists will be able to bike on the ICC bicycle/pedestrian route from the Shady Grove Metrorail station to the Muirkirk Commuter Rail Station. 

MCDOT Has First Team Honored by Rewarding Excellence

Montgomery County’s Rewarding Excellence program rewards employees who develop cost-saving proposals in the workplace.

A team with the Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Sign Shop is the first to complete a project   The team, called the “Scrap Metal Optimization” group, saved the County $16,000 in the first year the money-saving idea was put in place.  The initiative separates scrap metal from aluminum in MCDOT’s Sign Shop and sells the valuable aluminum to a salvage company.

The first year’s savings were shared between the 36 members of the implementation team and the County on a 50/50 basis.  County Executive Ike Leggett personally congratulated team members and presented each with a check for $229.

An article about gainsharing in the August edition of Governing magazine stated that many governments eliminate such programs in tight times when the programs are needed the most.  However, Montgomery County has made every effort to support the Rewarding Excellence program by collaborating with the employees’ union and partnering with employees to identify ways to become more efficient.

Bethesda Named a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by League of American Bicyclists

Bethesda has been named by the League of American Bicyclists as a “Bicycle Friendly Community.”  Rockville is also on the list, and Maryland ranks as the League’s eighth most bicycle-friendly state in the U.S.

The League’s Bicycle-Friendly Community program recognized Bethesda at the bronze award level, citing the community’s bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.

Bethesda has seen a significant increase in the number of employees who bike to work regularly, according to Montgomery County’s Annual Commuter Survey. It also had the third-highest attendance at the regional Bike to Work Day celebration this past May.

Visit the League’s website to learn more about Bicycle Friendly Communities.

Montgomery County Receives Grant for BRAC-Related Transportation Improvements

Due to changes at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda resulting from the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC), personnel at the facility is expected to increase by almost one-third -- to10,200 -- and the visitor load to double to one million a year.  To improve transportation access, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta recently announced that Montgomery County has received a $40 million grant from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment. The grant will fund improvements to facilitate a safer and easier commute for patients, service members and civilian employees of WRNMMC, as well as the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda campus.
The funding will be used to:

• Design and construct a pedestrian and bicycle passageway under Maryland Route 355 (Rockville Pike), connecting the WRNMMC and NSA on one side of the road to the Medical Center Metrorail Station and transit center on the other side. 
• Fully fund three, high-speed elevators to connect the WRNMMC and NSA at street level to the Metrorail mezzanine level located 120 feet below ground.
• Make improvements at the main entrance to the NSA campus to facilitate traffic flow.

The grant will supplement over $28 million in previously received Defense Department funding to relieve traffic congestion.  Montgomery County will complete the project in coordination with the Maryland State Highway Administration, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the National Institutes of Health, the Federal Highway Administration’s DelMar Division and the Command at NSA Bethesda.
More information about BRAC is available on the County’s website at montgomerycountymd.gov/brac.

Construction Alert in Bethesda: BRAC-Related Improvements Underway Through Early November

To accommodate increased traffic resulting from the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC), the Navy has been working to improve traffic flow in and out of its five gates on Rockville Pike and Jones Bridge Road that serve the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.  The Navy has completed work at both gates on Rockville Pike and at two of three gates on Jones Bridge Road.  Construction at the last gate, the Gunnell Road/Navy Exchange Gate, is underway.

The upgrades will help address traffic congestion and coordinate with projects underway to improve pedestrian and vehicle access at the Medical Center Metro Station and at intersections on Rockville Pike, Jones Bridge Road, Cedar Lane, Connecticut Avenue, and Old Georgetown Road.

The gate construction near the corner of Rockville Pike will affect traffic on westbound Jones Bridge Road.  Drivers should expect single lane closures.  Pedestrians will be affected by the temporary closure of a portion of the sidewalk on the north side of Jones Bridge Road.

For more information about BRAC’s impact in Montgomery County, visit the County’s BRAC website.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Walter Reed Campus Available

The U.S. Department of the Navy has released a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on its proposed facilities development and university expansion at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. The document may be reviewed on-site at County libraries.  To review the document at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, call 240-777-8210. 
 
The Department of the Navy encourages public comment and participation in the review process. It will hold a public hearing at the Pooks Hill Marriott, 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda on October 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. Written comments should be postmarked no later than October 29 to nnmc.nsabethesdaeis@med.navy.mil or Joseph Macri, NSA Bethesda Public Affairs Office, 890-1 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889.

Ride On Schedule Changes Began September 9

Time and service changes on 13 Ride On bus routes began September 9.  Improvements were made to the following routes:

• Route 10 – Ride On and Metrobus worked together to provide a coordinated schedule along Randolph Road between New Hampshire Avenue and Parklawn Drive, Monday through Saturday.  Together, Ride On Route 10 and Metrobus C8 will provide trips about every 15 minutes.  Although the C8 does not operate on Sundays, the Ride On Route 10 operates every 30 minutes on Sundays.
• Route 21 - One trip was added in the morning
• Route 22 – The schedule was adjusted to ensure better coordination with MARC train arrivals and departures
• Route 25 - The time between buses was cut to 15 minutes to eliminate overcrowding
• Route 37 – The morning schedule from Potomac towards the Grosvenor station was changed to include an extra trip
• Route 45 – More service is now available between downtown Rockville and Twinbrook
• Changes also have been made on some routes so schedules more accurately reflect the actual travel times.

Weekday routes affected: 10, 14, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 37, 45, 47 and 58.
Saturday routes affected: 10, 14, 18, 20, 26, 41, 45, and 47
Sunday routes affected: 10, 18, 20, 26, 41, and 47

For more Ride On information, including schedules, visit the Division of Transit Services’ website or call 311 (TTY, call 301-251-4850), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (new extended hours).

Portion of Woodmont Avenue Closed During Construction of New Project

In early September, Woodmont Avenue between Bethesda and Miller avenues in Bethesda closed for 20 months for construction of a public-private partnership project.  When completed, the project will more than triple the number of public parking spaces available on the former surface parking lot located at the intersection of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues (the lot across from the Barnes and Noble bookstore).  The adjacent Capital Crescent Trail will remain open during construction.

To assist parkers, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation has enhanced other parking options in the area.  At the Bethesda-Elm Parking Garage (Garage 57), which has more than 900 parking spaces and is located between Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street, staff has converted 103 long-term spaces to four-hour spaces.  In addition, a new messaging system at the garage’s entrance shows drivers how many parking spaces are available.

Drivers who need to park for longer periods of time are encouraged to use other garages in Bethesda.  Long-term parking spaces are available at the Woodmont Corner Garage (Garage 11) at Woodmont and Old Georgetown Road and the Auburn-Del Ray Garage (Garage 36), as well as at privately operated parking facilities.

The free Bethesda Circulator shuttle bus provides service to many of the parking facilities in Bethesda.  The hours of operation of the Circulator have been expanded and the frequency of service has been increased.

The new building is scheduled to be completed in fall 2013.  Additional information on the construction project is available at the Bethesda Urban Partnership’s website.  For more information on parking in Montgomery County’s public lots and garages, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website.

Update on MCDOT Road Maintenance Projects

Several new road maintenance projects by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Division of Highway Services are beginning in local subdivisions.
Crews are conducting permanent patching, a cost-effective, interim solution that maintains roadway structural integrity, for the following:

• Plyers Mill Road (Wheaton), between Georgia Avenue and the Town of Kensington, is underway.
• Fallsreach subdivision (Potomac) began in early September.

The following pavement preservation projects, where crews conduct full-depth patching of deteriorated pavement, seal cracks and apply a micro resurfacing material, are underway:

• Fox Hills West subdivision (Potomac)
• Laytonsville Knolls subdivision (Laytonsville)

Two concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk repair projects are underway in the Oakview and Devonshire estates communities.  Crews are replacing defective sections of curbs or sidewalks to ensure structural integrity and proper drainage. Residents in the areas may take advantage of discounts for repairs to their driveway aprons and entryway sidewalks. 
Paving projects, in which crews resurface the local streets with hot mix asphalt include:

• Apple Ridge Road (Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village) began in mid-September.
• Kemptown Church Road (near Mt. Airy) began in mid-September.

For more information on resurfacing projects throughout the County, visit the Division of Highway Services’ website or call 311 (TTY, call 301-251-4850), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (new extended hours).

Police and MCDOT Work Together to Calm Traffic and Reduce Collisions

Speeding and unsafe driving practices on residential streets continue to concern County residents and  the government agencies charged with ensuring traffic safety. Excessive speeds jeopardize both the safety and “liveability” of neighborhoods. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and the Department of Police have cooperated to implemented a comprehensive residential speed control program that enlists the help of community residents to solve speeding problems and improve the residential environment. The program includes the three components necessary to successfully reduce speeding: education, engineering and enforcement.

MCDOT has completed construction on several road projects that contain traffic calming elements, including:

• Franklin Avenue between Colesville Road and Flower Avenue in Silver Spring.  This project, coordinated with the scheduled resurfacing of Franklin Avenue, includes pedestrian refuge islands, bump-outs, new pavement markings and new crosswalks.   
• The Wisteria Drive / Waring Station Road project consisted of a series of bump-outs, pedestrian refuge islands, crosswalks and bus stop improvements. 
• Jones Bridge Road pedestrian improvements extending from the North Chevy Chase Elementary School to Jones Mill Road.  
• Cedar Lane/Summit Avenue, between Beach Drive and Knowles Avenue, included pedestrian refuge islands, bump-outs and new crosswalks.
• Spartan Road, between Georgia Avenue and MD 108, included pedestrian refuge islands, bump-outs and new crosswalks.

For information on MCDOT traffic calming measures, visit the Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations’ website.  For information on safe walking, visit MCDOT’s pedestrian safety website.

County Cable Montgomery Offers Enhanced Traffic Coverage

Viewers of County Cable Montgomery’s rush hour traffic coverage should appreciate enhancements that will make it easier to more quickly review traffic conditions around the County.

Instead of viewing just one traffic camera at a time, viewers can see four cameras at once organized by category: interstates; major arterials west of and including MD 355; major arterials east of MD 355; and the remaining cameras.  Major traffic incidents will also be listed.

This improvement will make it possible to view every one of the County’s 200 traffic cameras every four minutes. 

The cameras are operated by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Transportation Management Center.  Watch County Cable Montgomery on cable television (channel 6 for Comcast and RCN subscribers and channel 30 on Verizon) or on the County’s website at http://montgomerycountymd.gov/ccm.

Review MCDOT 2012 Annual Report and other Publications Online

Past accomplishments and future initiatives are among the topics found in the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) new 2012 Annual Report now available online.  The report also contains a special supplement on the County’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative.

Other useful MCDOT publications are also available online, including the Resident’s Guide to Services in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese and the MCDOT Meetings Guide that describes its advisory committee volunteer opportunities.

Chinese Delegation Visits Montgomery County to Learn from MCDOT

An 18-person delegation from the City of Zhengzhou in the province of Henan in central China recently visited Montgomery County to learn about the County’s planning procedures for building projects and the technology being developed to serve transit users.

Department of Transportation (MCDOT) staff explained how Master Plans are used to link transportation planning projects and land use planning.  They outlined the facility planning process that develops preliminary project plans to provide elected officials the information they need to decide whether to fund projects.  Staff explained the numerous opportunities for public comment throughout this process. 

The meeting concluded with a demonstration of Ride On’s new Real Time feature that uses geographic information and communication technology to provide next bus arrival information.  The visitors asked many questions and shared insights about their own bus rapid transit system -- a system currently being proposed for Montgomery County.  This is the fourth visit of a Chinese delegation hosted by MCDOT.

SmarTrip® Card Changes Began in September

Since September 1, Metro has offered a $3 rebate for new SmarTrip® card purchases when the card is registered online. Cards will still cost $5, but a $3 credit will be refunded to the card five days after its first use. SmarTrip® online registration also ensures that the user doesn’t lose money if the card is lost or stolen.  Registered users can add value to the card via the Web.

Also since September 1, SmartTrip® card users will need at least $1.20 on the card to enter the Metrorail system (35 cents for the senior/disabled SmarTrip® card).

To make it easier to purchase a SmarTrip® card, Metro has added vending machines in all Metrorail stations.

Another advantage of using the SmarTrip® card is the Metrorail Fast Pass, which provides seven days of unlimited Metrorail travel.  The pass is only available on SmarTrip® and can also be purchased online or at station vending machines. Paper Fast Pass cards will be accepted through December 31, 2012.

Metro Seeks Passengers for Advisory Council

Metro’s Riders’ Advisory Council is looking for Montgomery County volunteers to fill available positions. The 21-member group is comprised of Metro riders from throughout the area who advise Metro’s Board of Directors on issues affecting Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess. Individuals on the council are chosen to represent a cross-section of Metro’s riders. Applications are available online and must be received by 5 p.m., Monday, October 8.

New Maryland Traffic Safety Laws Began October 1

Maryland has two new traffic safety laws that went into effect on October 1.

• Children under the age of eight must be in a safety seat, regardless of weight, unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller.
• The law regarding who has the right-of-way when a traffic signal is not working has been clarified.  All drivers should stop at the light and then yield to other vehicles or pedestrians already in the intersection.  Failure to obey the law can result in a $90 fine and two points.  If a driver breaks the law and contributes to a crash, it will cost the driver $130 and three points. 

More information about new driver safety laws in Maryland is available on the Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Seasonal Road Maintenance Continues

The Department of Transportation (MCDOT) began a new road maintenance project in the Garrett Park Estates subdivision in Kensington to conduct full-depth patching, remove the older road surface, and repave the roads with hot mix asphalt. Work in is expected to take about three to four weeks.

MCDOT began a pavement preservation project along Middlebrook Road, Germantown, in which crews conduct full-depth patching of deteriorated pavement, seal cracks, and apply a micro-resurfacing material. Resurfacing of the right, eastbound lane between Great Seneca Highway and Waring Station Road is on hold until WSSC work in the vicinity and construction work at nearby Holy Cross Hospital are completed. 

For more information on resurfacing projects throughout the County, visit the Division of Highway Services’ website.   

Update on Bethesda and Woodmont avenues Parking Project

A public-private partnership project located at the intersection of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues in downtown Bethesda will more than triple the number of public parking spaces that were available on the former surface parking lot.

The primary focus of the construction team has been completion of utility work. Pile driving is occurring on the west side of the site, and drilling began this month on the east and north sides of the intersection.

Here’s an update on the progress of on-site work:

• Capital Crescent Trail Restoration. The seeding and mulching work along the trail south of the site is about 90 percent complete.
• Traffic Signal Modifications. A new Woodmont Avenue traffic signal pole and wiring is complete. The Pepco service connection to the new traffic signal is expected to be completed in early September.
• Bethesda Avenue Crosswalk. Work began in early August to restore the crosswalk at Bethesda Avenue and make improvements on the north side of the crosswalk. 

Stay up to date on the project’s progress online. 

Maryland State Highway Administration to Resurface Portions of Rockville Pike in Bethesda

The Maryland State Highway Administration is temporarily closing lanes for nighttime resurfacing along north and southbound Maryland Route 355 (Rockville Pike) between South Drive and Jones Bridge Road in Bethesda. The work is part of a project to relocate utilities for traffic improvements related to the expansion of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The resurfacing project began in early August. One lane of MD 355 is closed in each direction on weeknights at 7 p.m., followed by two lanes at 10 p.m.  All lanes reopen to traffic no later than 5 a.m.  The project should be completed by the end of August, depending on the weather.  

Highway Services Expands Road Sweeping Program

The MCDOT Division of Highway Services (DHS) has expanded its road sweeping operation from once a month to twice a month along 191 miles of arterial roadways.  So far this season, DHS has collected nearly 1,000 tons of debris, preventing these pollutants from reaching the Chesapeake Bay.

Supported by the Department of Environmental Protection under its stream protection program, DHS also conducts an annual sweeping of 3,900 curb miles of residential streets, typically collecting another 1,000 tons of debris. Sweeping efforts focus on areas located in more environmentally sensitive neighborhoods, many of which are part of the Anacostia watershed.  Sweeping is usually completed by July, but due to this year’s derecho, operations were suspended for a month during storm cleanup.  DHS should complete the sweeping by the end of August.

MC311 Customer Service Center Extends Hours of Operation

Montgomery County’s MC311 Customer Service Center (CSC) extended its hours of operation on August 13 and is now open 12 hours a day, beginning at 7 a.m., Monday through Friday. The CSC formerly closed at 5 p.m.

An analysis conducted last April indicated that between 135 and 175 callers tried to reach 311 between 5 and 7 p.m.  This means that an additional 700 to 800 customers a week or more than 3,000 additional customers a month could be served in the extra two hours. The MC311 CSC already remains open extra hours during weather emergencies or other significant incidents. 

Since the CSC opened, call volume has averaged 40,000 calls per month.  The 311 web portal, which allows residents to find answers and check on the status of service requests, has consistently averaged 25,000 views per month and can be accessed around the clock. 

To reach the call center, dial 311, or 240-777-0311 or TTY 240-773-3556, or visit the website.  

MCDOT Participates in American Public Transit Association Workshop

On July 30, several MCDOT employees spoke at the American Public Transit Association (APTA) Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop in Baltimore.  The conference promotes and advances the work of the country’s transportation planners and schedulers by allowing them to meet and share their work.

One session was devoted to Montgomery County.  MCDOT staff discussed what they are doing to improve the County’s public transportation system and the role that public transportation plays in land use development and commuter services.

A brief description of the conference is available on APTA’s website.  

September 22 is Regional Car Free Day

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board has designated Saturday September 22 as this year’s Car Free Day.  The annual event is organized and promoted by the Council of Governments’ Commuter Connections program to encourage people to use alternative methods of transportation, such as walking, biking, public transportation, or going “car lite” by carpooling.

Car Free Day benefits the region through improved air quality, reduced traffic congestion and parking demands, and conservation of energy. 

Pledge to be “car free” or “car lite” by signing up at the Council of Governments’ website.  Learn about carpooling options at MCDOT's Commuter Services’ website or call 240-773-TRIPS (8747). 

Highway Services Responds to Aftermath of Derecho

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett visited Silver Spring to survey damage caused by Friday’s storm. He thanked the crews who have been working non-stop since then to clear roads of trees, limbs and debris.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Division of Highway Services (DHS) provided special storm tree debris collections on County maintained roads in the the aftermath of the destructive derecho that occurred on June 29. The one-time collection was a special service provided to help residents with the massive clean up resulting from the storm.
 
DHS crews systematically followed the County’s 217 snow plow routes, picking up tree debris located within the County right-of-way. DHS’s storm operations map listed closed roads and allowed residents to track the progress of crews collecting debris.
 
Immediately following the storm, DHS sprang into action to clear blocked roads, but some streets remained closed for several days until PEPCO could remove power lines entangled in fallen trees.
 
Residents who still have tree debris to dispose may continue to bundle branches and tree limbs for County-provided trash and yard trim curbside collection or drop off items at the County’s Transfer Station. For information on cleanup instructions for fallen tree limbs, visit the Division of Solid Waste Services website.

Leggett Celebrates Completion of Seven Transportation Projects Paid for with Recovery Act Funds

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett celebrated the completion of a road repaving project that improved more than 43 miles on seven roadways using $6.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. The funds employed 50 people; 47 by the paving contractor and three contract inspectors hired by the County. The selected roads were designated as high priority projects by the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) because of their deteriorated condition. Overall, the County received nearly $168 million in ARRA funding for a variety of projects that have helped businesses get people back to work.  
Joining Leggett were County Council President Roger Berliner, County Councilmember Craig Rice, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, and State Delegates Charles Barkley and Jim Gilchrist.
 
For the seven repaving projects, the Division of Highway Services (DHS) removed and replaced defective curbs, gutters, sidewalks and pavement surfaces; patched pavement; and installed pavement line markings and raised, reflective pavement markers.
 
The following were repaved:

• More than 10 lane miles of Shady Grove Road from I-270 to Darnestown Road. Bike lanes and acceleration lanes were added and non-standard traffic barriers were replaced. ADA ramps were added to sidewalks.
• Nearly 10 lane miles of Barnesville Road from Mt. Ephraim Road to Maryland Route 117. Safety improved with new traffic barriers and thermoplastic pavement markings.
• About 4.5 miles of Randolph Road from east of Nebel Street to Rock Creek Bridge. Replaced existing sidewalk and ramps with standard sidewalks and ADA ramps. Installed new thermoplastic pavement markings with track symbols near railroad tracks.
• About 3.6 lane miles of Forest Glen Road from Maryland Route 97 to Brunett Avenue. Improved pavement striping by adding bike lanes and a pedestrian crossing at the Sligo Creek intersection. Removed a ditch along the edge of the roadway, improving access and eliminating unsafe drop off. Installed standard concrete curb and gutters Replaced existing sidewalk and ramps with standard sidewalks and ADA ramps.
• More than 10 lane miles of Old Columbia Pike from Maryland Route 198 to U.S. Route 29, Columbia Pike on-ramp. Replaced existing sidewalk and ramps with standard sidewalks and ADA ramps. Improved storm water drainage at various locations. Worked with Paint Branch High School to improve access for entrances and exits. Installed roadside traffic barriers protecting hazardous embankments.
• Nearly five lane miles of Travilah Road from Dufief Road to River Road. Increased roadside safety with new traffic barriers and thermoplastic pavement markings, and improved operating conditions.
• About 3.7 lane miles of Wightman Road from Brink Road to Goshen Road. Realigned the concrete median at the intersection of Montgomery Village Avenue, improving traffic flow. Repaired shoulder area at Great Seneca Park entrance across from Brink Road. Installed hot mix asphalt base to restore roadway integrity. Replaced roadside non-standard traffic barriers.

The County also received other ARRA funding for transportation projects, including $1.75 million to the Division of Traffic Engineering for four projects to improve traffic flow and traffic and pedestrian safety and $6.55 million to the Division of Transit Services to replace existing buses with 12 energy-efficient, diesel-electric hybrids and one clean diesel bus. The buses have been in service since November 2011. Transit also received $350,000 to purchase new bid/dispatch software that is increasing efficiency in managing work assignments and daily dispatching.
 
Information about other ARRA funds awarded to the County is available on the County’s website.

Leggett Joins Transit Task Force to Hear Public Comments on Rapid Transit Proposal

On July 12, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and the 15-member Transit Task Force he appointed held a public hearing, seeking comments on the plan developed by the Task Force to establish a 160-mile, innovative, “best-in-class” rapid transit system in Montgomery County. About 100 people attended, with 30 presenting testimony.

The Task Force is recommending that the rapid transit system be built in three phases over the next nine to 20 years to mitigate both construction and affordability issues. Leggett created the Transit Task Force in February 2011.

For highlights of the Task Force recommendations, see the County’s press release, read the full Transit Task Force’s report or view the MCDOT study of the concept.

Department of Transportation Begins New Residential Road Maintenance Projects

The Department of Transportation (MCDOT) began new road maintenance projects in local subdivisions in July and will add others in August. MCDOT will do full depth patching, remove the older road surface, and repave the roads with hot mix asphalt.
The following will be repaved, taking three to four weeks, depending on weather conditions:

• Peachwood Subdivision, Silver Spring, began the week of July 16. 
• Hoyles Addition, Gaithersburg, began in late July. 
• South Four Corners, Kemp Mill, will begin in August. 
• Medical Center Drive from Great Seneca Highway to Key West Avenue will begin in August. 

MCDOT will conduct the following pavement preservation projects, in which crews conduct full-depth patching of deteriorated pavement, seal cracks, and apply a micro-resurfacing material. Timing depends on weather conditions.

• Bells Mill Road, Potomac, began the week of July 22 and will take one to two weeks to complete. 
• Edson Lane, Rockville, began July 16 and will take one to two weeks to complete. 
• Mahan Road and Ferrara Drive, Wheaton, began the week of July 23 and will take three to four weeks to complete. 
• Heathfield Road, Marianna Drive and Parkland Drive, Aspen Hill, will begin in early August. 
• Parkland Drive from Chesterfield Road to Aspen Hill Road began the week of July 23. 
• Mariana Drive from Parkland Drive to Bauer Drive will begin the week of August 7. 

MCDOT is also working to repair sidewalks, concrete curbs, and gutters at:

• Franklin Knolls, Silver Spring, which began in early July and should be completed by Fall 2013. 
• Kingswell Community, Wheaton, which began in July and will take six to eight weeks to complete. 

For more information on resurfacing projects throughout the County, visit the Division of Highway Services’ website.

Silver Spring Garage 55 Closed on July 20 for 14 Months

Construction began on July 20 to extend Dixon Avenue through the Bonifant-Dixon Parking Garage (Public Parking Garage 55) in Silver Spring. The Bonifant Avenue entrance to the garage will be closed for about 14 months.

Parkers are encouraged instead to use the Dixon Avenue entrance to Garage 5, which is bounded by Dixon, Ramsey and Bonifant avenues. The garage has 1,240 public parking spaces. Metro Kiss-and-Ride spaces are located on the G Level of Garage 5.

Ride On Removes Champion Buses from Service

Following a July 18 fire on one of the County’s Champion buses, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett directed the Department of General Services to take all remaining Ride On Champion buses out of service -- permanently.

He said, “We are very fortunate that no one was injured [in today’s fire] and there were no passengers on the out-of-service bus. Staff has been working aggressively to find replacement buses for the Champions. A number of the buses have already been replaced.”

With about 30 buses immediately pulled from the bus fleet, Ride On ran a modified holiday schedule for four weekdays. The modified schedule provides about 80 percent of regular weekday service. The Department of General Services expedited preparing replacement buses and were able to put enough back on the road to restore regular weekday service on July 25. Some minor delays continued until July 30, when a full complement of buses was available for service.

Ride On has put in an order to purchase 28 new replacement buses, which should begin arriving in about a year.

Although regretting the disruption to passengers, Leggett said, “The bottom line is -- removing the buses from service was the right thing to do to ensure the safety of the public and our bus drivers.”

Transit Task Force Presents Recommendations to County Executive

The Montgomery County Transit Task Force presented its recommendations to County Executive Isiah Leggett for establishing a 160-mile, innovative, “best-in-class” rapid transit system that creates a comprehensive transit network. The Task Force is recommending that the system be built in three phases over the next nine to 20 years to mitigate both construction and affordability issues. Leggett created the Transit Task Force in February 2011 and appointed the members of the public/private partnership. 

The proposed rapid transit system uses vehicles that will operate like “light rail on rubber tires.” To the maximum extent possible, the network would have separate, dedicated lanes, with an emphasis on creating a network with both north-south and east-west connections. The report states that a rapid transit network is essential if the County wants to achieve its smart growth vision and successfully compete for its fair share of the projected job growth in the region.

Highlights of the Task Force recommendations, a statement by Leggett and the Task Force’s full report (click on Final Report) are available online. 

Governor O’Malley Announces Corridor Cities Transitway is Locally Preferred Alternative

Governor Martin O’Malley announced that the locally preferred alternative (LPA) for the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) will be Maryland’s first Bus Rapid Transit system and will operate along a 15-mile north-south corridor from the Shady Grove Metrorail station to the COMSAT facility near Clarksburg. The next step is for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to submit the project to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under its New Starts Program as the MTA prepares for the preliminary engineering phase of the project.

The preferred alternative will connect major employment, residential and activity centers in the corridor including Shady Grove, King Farm, Crown Farm, Life Sciences Center (LSC), Kentlands, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Metropolitan Grove, Germantown, and COMSAT. There will be direct connections to the Red Line at Shady Grove, the MARC Brunswick Line at Metropolitan Grove and local bus service throughout the corridor.

The CCT LPA will be a pedestrian-friendly system with 16 proposed stations that is expected to have 47,700 boardings a day by 2035. The CCT will operate at street level on a fully dedicated right-of-way with no shared use segments, allowing for fast and reliable transit operations. Parking will be available through existing and/or new Park and Rides at Shady Grove, Crown Farm, LSC West, Metropolitan Grove, Germantown, and COMSAT. The transitway is also being designed to accommodate a future hiker/biker trail.

County Council Approves FY13 Budget

On May 24, the Montgomery County Council approved a $4.6 billion total County operating budget for Fiscal Year 2013, which begins July 1, 2012.
Transportation-related items include:

• An increase in the Ride On Monthly Pass from $40 to $45.
• An increase in the cash or token Ride On fare from $1.70 to $1.80.
• An increase in the regular SmarTrip Ride On fare from $1.50 to $1.60.
• An increase in the Senior/Disabled cash/token fare from $0.85 to $0.90.
• An increase in the Senior/Disabled SmarTrip fare from $0.75 to $0.80.
• In the Bethesda Parking Lot District, an increase in: the short-term parking fee from $1/hour to $1.25/hour; long-term parking from $0.75/hour to $0.80/hour; the monthly pass from $140 to $150; and the associated daily and carpool passes.
• In the Silver Spring Parking Lot District: an increase in the short-term parking fee from $0.75/hour to $1/hour; long-term parking from $0.60/hour to $0.65/hour; the monthly pass from $113 to $123; and the associated daily and carpool passes, effective Jan. 1, 2013.
• A pilot program whereby residents of South Silver Spring can buy a monthly parking pass for the Kennett and King Street garages for the discounted price of $95; the pilot will run from Oct. 1, 2012 until June 30, 2014.
• In the Wheaton Parking Lot District, an increase in the short-term parking fee from $0.50/hour to $0.75/hour, long-term parking from $0.50/hour to $0.60/hour, the monthly pass from $95 to $113, and the associated daily and carpool passes.

Approved items in the Capital Improvement Projects Budge include:

• An increase in funding of by $16.25 million (95 percent) for roadway patching and resurfacing in FY 2013.
• An increase in funding of $2.5 million (40 percent) for sidewalk and curb replacement in FY 2013.
• A new parking garage on the Rockville campus of Montgomery College by FY 2015.
• Design and construction of the Capital Crescent Trail, costing $49.5 million.
• Construction funding for the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the Silver Spring Green Trail.
• Construction of new bike trails along Frederick Road in Clarksburg, Needwood Road in Derwood and Gold Mine Road east of Brookeville.