Leggett Launches Spanish/English Pedestrian Safety Education Campaign Using Graphic Novel Style Ads

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett recently launched a new public education campaign about the consequences of failing to practice safe pedestrian behaviors. The ads use an eye-catching graphic novel format in both English and Spanish. The first in a series, the ads appear on Ride On buses and in bus shelters located in the first five High Incidence Areas (HIAs) designated by the County as having the highest concentrations of pedestrian collisions. The event initiating the campaign was held along Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring where significant engineering improvements have been made between Flower and New Hampshire avenues.

The graphic novel ad has two messages: Maryland state law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and those who don’t use crosswalks are putting themselves at risk. The ad features characters named Maria and Marco in a scene in which Marco fails to use a crosswalk -- with dire consequences.

More information about the campaign and the County’s pedestrian safety program is available online.

Ride On Route 94 to Begin New Service in the New Year

Beginning January 13, Ride On will offer a new rush hour Route 94 “Meet the MARC” bus that will run between Clarksburg and the Germantown MARC Train Station.

A map of the new Route 94 is available on Ride On’s website. Schedules will be available online in January.

Ride On, Metro, and Public Parking Modifications for New Year’s Day

On New Year’s Eve, December 31, Ride On will follow a normal weekday schedule and on the New Year’s holiday, January 1, will operate on a Sunday Schedule. Look here for more information and schedules in English and Spanish, or call 311 (TTY, call 301-251-4850), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Metrobus and Metrorail will also operate on a Sunday schedule on New Year’s Day. For more information, call 202-637-7000 or visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s website.

The Silver Spring and Friendship Heights TRiPS Commuter Stores will be closed on New Year’s Day.

Parking at public garages, lots and curbside meters will be free on New Year’s Day. For more information, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website.

Metro Extends Route K9 Bus Service Along New Hampshire Avenue to FDA

One year after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) created the K9 limited-stop bus service from the Fort Totten Metro Station to Northwest Park, it extended the service to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/Federal Research Center beginning December 29. The service will provide buses every 16 to 18 minutes during morning and evening weekday rush hours, further helping to relieve crowding along the busy New Hampshire Avenue corridor,

The K9 service has been very successful, increasing ridership from about 500 passengers a day to frequently exceeding 1,000 passengers a day along the New Hampshire Avenue corridor. Overall, ridership on Metro’s K6 more local service has also increased. The K9 extension is part of Metro’s Better Bus improvement program, a $5 million initiative to improve on-time performance and reliability while reducing crowding for customers.

See more about the K9 route (pdf).

Update on Road Maintenance Projects

In December, concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs were made in the Parkside subdivision in Silver Spring and Devonshire Estates subdivision in North Bethesda. Crews replaced defective sections of curbs or sidewalks to ensure proper drainage and remove tripping hazards.

For more information on resurfacing projects throughout the County, or to report road defects or other maintenance concerns in need of immediate attention, 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.

Use SoberRide This Holiday Season

Don’t let a holiday celebration become a tragedy. Every year in Montgomery County, more than 400 people are injured in alcohol-related collisions. When drinking, be sure to designate a driver, get a ride home with someone sober or call 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. Get a ride home from the District or surrounding counties, including Montgomery, by calling SoberRide at 800-200-TAXI. SoberRide provides free rides home, up to a $30 fare. Since 1993, SoberRide has provided 55,000 free cab rides to impaired drivers.

More information is available on SoberRide’s website. For more information on taxi service in Montgomery County, visit the Division of Transit Services’ website or call 311, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 301-251-4850 TTY, or 240-777-0311 (from outside the County).

Adopt A Spot to Help Keep Montgomery County Beautiful

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has launched a new initiative called Adopt A Spot that expands the popular Adopt A Road program to address litter at parks, landmarks, school yards, vacant lots, walkways and trails, or other commonly-owned sites. Adopt A Spot will enlist volunteers to remove litter from these locations at least once a month. MCDOT will post a sign at the location with the group’s name on it and provide cleaning equipment, such as trash bags or gloves.

Adopt A Spot and Adopt A Road keep the County looking attractive and protect local streams and creeks. In fiscal year 2013, several thousand Adopt A Road volunteers picked up more than 2,000 bags of litter from 350 road segments. These initiatives were developed in consultation with the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful Task Force.

To learn more or volunteer for Adopt a Road or Spot, visit the County’s website.

Public Input Sought on New Entrance to the Medical Center Metro Station

Tentatively scheduled for January 9, the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed construction of a new entrance to the Medical Center Metro Station at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The hearing will be at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Headquarters, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring.

The new Metro Station entrance - which is fully funded by the Federal Government - will provide Metrorail access using three elevators on the east side of MD 355. Included in the project are a pedestrian and bike underpass, stairs, escalators and elevators.

Check the Planning Board’s website on the Monday prior to the hearing date to confirm the date and time of the meeting. More information about the project is available on the County’s website.

County Council to Hold Several Transportation-Related Public Hearings in January

The Montgomery County Council will hold several public hearings on issues impacting the County’s current or future transportation network:

• January 14, 7:30 pm: Bethesda Purple Line Station Minor Master Plan Amendment. Sign up to testify by January 14 at 10 a.m.
• January 23, 7:30 pm: Bill 33-13, Streets and Roads - Urban Road Standards and Pedestrian Safety. Sign up to testify by January 23 at 10 a.m.
• January 28, 1:30 pm: Bill 32-13, Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Off-Street Public Parking Regulations - Plug-in Vehicles. Sign up to testify by January 27 at 5 p.m.

For further information or to sign up to testify, check the Council website or call 240-777-7803.

National Study Reveals More Elementary and Middle School Children Are Walking to School

New research from the National Center for Safe Routes to School shows that more kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8) students are walking to and from school. The research is based on parent surveys conducted from 2007 to 2012 at nearly 4,700 schools across the country.

According to the study, the percentage of K-8 children who walked to school in the morning increased from 12.4 percent to 15.7 percent, representing a 27 percent increase. The percentage of K-8 children who walked from school in the afternoon increased from 15.8 percent to 19.7 percent, representing a 24 percent increase. Another significant finding was that the percentage of parents who reported that their child’s school supported walking and bicycling rose from 24.9 to 33 percent.

The full report, “Trends in Walking and Bicycling to School from 2007 to 2012,” is available on the National Center for Safe Routes to Schools website. Montgomery County’s Safe Routes to School Program routinely surveys local schools in partnership with the State of Maryland.

Leggett Launches Campaign to Reduce Pedestrian Collisions in Parking Lots

Last Year, Nearly One-Third of Pedestrian Collisions Occurred in Parking Lots/Garages

In time for the holiday shopping season, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett launched an education campaign to address the growing number of pedestrian collisions occurring in parking lots and garages in Montgomery County. In 2012, parking lot and garage collisions comprised nearly one-third of all pedestrian collisions in the County. What is even more surprising was the finding that nearly 20 percent of the lot/garage collisions in 2012 resulted in severe, debilitating injuries -- the same percentage as road collisions.

The educational campaign’s slogan, “Heads Up in Parking Lots,” features the message: “Don’t run over people. Don’t get run over.”

Leggett launched the education campaign at Dawson’s Market in Rockville Town Center, which is managed by Federal Realty. Immediately following the press event, police officers and firefighters kicked off their holiday season safety campaign, “Shop with a Cop or Firefighter,” by distributing reusable shopping bags and parking lot safety tips to store customers. Through Christmas, police and firefighters will visit some of the County’s busiest shopping areas to remind customers to practice safe driving and walking behaviors in parking lots.

To find ways to bring safety messages directly to drivers and pedestrians in parking lots, the County has partnered with retail property managers and owners. The partners are featured on the County’s website.

Leggett’s expansion of his original Pedestrian Safety Initiative is titled Pedestrian Safety Initiative: Reducing Collisions in Parking Lots and Garages. The strategic plan recommends five strategies to reduce parking lot and garage collisions.

See the County’s website for more information about the Heads Up in Parking Lots campaign.

Highway Services Continues Second Round of Vacuum Leaf Collection

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation Division of Highway Services began its second round of vacuum leaf collection on November 18. Many trees did not drop their leaves until quite late in the season, so this has slowed Highway Services’ progress. Residents are encouraged to be patient while DHS trucks and staff work their way through neighborhoods.

The collection schedule for the second round of leaf collection is available on the County’s website.

Due to the unusual dryness of the leaves (which makes them extremely brittle), leaf removal this year is generating dust that may settle on cars, sidewalks and porches. To assist residents, Highway Services will dispatch a worker with a leaf blower to blow leaf dust off areas with excessive accumulation. To request this service, call 240-777-7623.

To determine if a residence is within the boundaries of the leaf vacuum collection district or view the leaf collection schedule, visit Highway’s website.

High School Students Invited to Participate in 'Walk Your Way' Project

Awards Up to $2,000 Available for Pedestrian Safety Projects in High Schools

Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is launching the “Walk Your Way” project as part of an initiative to educate high school students about the importance of pedestrian safety. The County will award up to $2,000 to teams of high school students for creating, designing and implementing a pedestrian safety education program at their high school. Projects ideas include painting sidewalks, designing and distributing posters and other materials or holding a school-wide assembly. Other ideas are listed on the County’s website.

To be eligible for the project grant, students must work in groups of two or more and have the support of at least one teacher or staff supervisor. The project must be developed and implemented by April 30, 2014.

Students interested in applying for the grants should submit an application by 5 p.m. on December 16 to walkyourway@montgomerycountymd.gov or Walk Your Way, 101 Monroe Street, 10th Floor, Rockville, MD 20850. Mailed applications must be postmarked by December 16.

More information about the Walk Your Way project is available on the County’s website or by contacting Nadji Kirby or Alex Cohen at walkyourway@montgomerycountymd.gov.

New 'Meet the MARC' Ride On Bus Service Begins January 13

Route 94 Bus to Offer Transit Option between Clarksburg and Germantown MARC Station

Beginning January 13, Montgomery County Ride On will offer a new Route 94 bus service between Clarksburg and the Germantown MARC train station. The service is called “Meet the MARC” because if the evening MARC train runs late, the Ride On bus will wait for the train to arrive. In partnership with the Maryland Transit Administration, the Route 94 will offer rush hour service between the train station and bus stops on Clarksburg Road, Snowden Farm Parkway, Little Seneca Parkway and Meadow Mist Road.

Morning bus service will leave from Clarksburg Road and Gateway Center Drive at 5:38, 6:02, 6:38, 7:01 and 7:46 a.m. and make nine stops in Clarksburg. In the evening, the shuttle will depart the MARC Station for Clarksburg at 4:21, 4:35, 5:20, 5:48, 6:33, 7:12, 7:33 and 8:12 p.m. and make 10 stops in Clarksburg. On Fridays only, an earlier bus at 2:21 p.m. will also operate from the MARC Station to Clarksburg.

Riders who have a MARC weekly, MARC monthly or TLC (Transit Link Card) ticket may simply show it to the bus operator and ride free, the same as on all Ride On buses. Other riders will be charged the regular $1.60 fare for SmarTrip Card users or $1.80 for passengers paying with cash or other Ride On fare media.

For more information, check Ride On’s website. Or, call 311 or 240-777-0311, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or TTY (for hearing impaired) 301-251-4850.

Public Meeting to be Held December 11 on Wheaton Redevelopment Project

Montgomery County Government is inviting the community to a second meeting with Stonebridge Carras/Bozzuto Development, the selected developer for the Wheaton Redevelopment Project. The public meeting will be held Wednesday, December 11 at 7 p.m. at the Wheaton High School (Cafeteria), 12601 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring.

At the meeting, the current status of the proposed development plan will be shared along with details on the scope of the project and ideas for design. Community input is sought.

For more information, visit MCDOT’s Wheaton Redevelopment website.

Pedestrian Safety Brigade: Working to Make Bethesda a Safer Place to Walk

Several trained pedestrian safety volunteers joined Montgomery County and Bethesda Transportation Solutions to provide information and giveaways at the annual Come Back to Bethesda event in October. The volunteers asked attendees to sign a pledge to be a safe pedestrian and/or a safe driver by writing their names on cards and attaching them to a large banner. By the end of the day, the banner was completely covered with the names of people who want to make Montgomery County a safer place for pedestrians.

The County has been targeting its pedestrian safety improvement efforts in areas with higher rates of pedestrian collisions. Staff trained volunteers in Bethesda, Wheaton and at several local schools educate walkers and drivers about how to safely share the streets with each other.

For more information about this program, or to become a volunteer, contact Joana Conklin in the Montgomery County Department of Transportation at joana.conklin@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-7195 or view the County’s website (pdf).

Dixon Avenue Entrance to Bonifant-Dixon Parking Garage Now Reopened

The Dixon Avenue entrance to Montgomery County’s Bonifant-Dixon parking garage in Silver Spring is now open. It was closed for several months while an extension of Dixon Avenue was constructed through the garage. The construction project was completed at no cost to the County by Home Properties in accordance with the Silver Spring Sector Plan to accommodate additional demand for parking.

The garage is located at 1101 Bonifant Drive. Payment to park in the garage is required Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The garage has 1,185 metered parking spaces.

More information about the garage is available on the County’s website.

Forty-Five County Schools Participate in this Year’s Walk to School Day

County Executive Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director (MCDOT) Art Holmes and other officials joined parents, teachers and children to celebrate International Walk to School Day in October. This year’s host school was Kensington-Parkwood Elementary School, where they have begun a “School Pool” program. School Pool is a free, interactive, secure matching service sponsored by the Council of Governments for parents of children who attend the same school and want to share the responsibility of transporting students to school using a “walking school bus”, a bike train or a traditional carpool.

Supporters of Walk to School Day included SafeKids, AAA Mid-Atlantic, Federal Express, Clif Kid, the State Highway Administration and County agencies.

Montgomery County is upgrading safety at schools thanks, in part, to the federal Safe Routes to School program which provides funding for infrastructure, enforcement and education campaigns.

For more information, visit MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School website.

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

1ST PLACE WINNER - BY DAY 

"Northern Flicker Pair" 

by Alan Kolnik

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) honored 66 winners of the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) community beautification awards and 55 amateur photographers at the 27th annual awards ceremony. In addition, two people received the Clean Sweep Awards for the Adopt A Road program and one award was presented for the Governor’s Proclamation of the Largest Tree in the State of Maryland.

The beautification competition is open to community groups, businesses, public institutions and other organizations undertaking landscaping projects that enhance the appearance of commonly owned sections of commercial or residential properties. Landscaping can also take place along County roadsides, medians or other public locations. More than 20 years ago, concerned volunteers formed the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful Task Force to work with the County to 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 for the ceremony included the Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Florist.

To view the list of award winners and winning photographs, visit the County’s website.

Construction Update on Langley Park Transit Center

Construction of the Langley Park Transit Center by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is underway.

Located at New Hampshire Avenue and University Boulevard, the location is one of the busiest bus-only transit spots in the region. During the fall and through early spring, MTA expects to: 

• Modify the MD 193 (University Blvd.) median and the entrances to the Langley Park and the Hampshire Langley shopping centers to create a fully signalized intersection; 
• Make minor drainage improvements along MD 193; 
• Modify the Lebanon Street/MD 650 (New Hampshire Ave.) traffic signal to allow left turns onto MD 650 North; 
• Modify Anne Avenue to regulate traffic flow; 
• Remove and replace crosswalks; and 
• Make minor repairs to the curb at MD 193/Lebanon Street. 

At the request of the community, international and multilingual signs will guide pedestrians and advise the public that all businesses will remain open during construction. The Taco Bell is expected to remain open until spring.

For more information, contact Ms. Chrys Wilson, director of MTA Community Relations, at 410-767-3442 or visit the MTA website.

Leggett Celebrates Opening of County’s Emergency Maintenance and Transit Operations Center

A “Smart Growth Initiative” Project; Names Facility for David F. Bone, Planner and Original Architect of Ride On and Announces 40 New Ride On Buses 

 Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett celebrated the opening of the new David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center (EMTOC) in Rockville, another of his Smart Growth Initiative (SGI) projects that is revitalizing an old industrial area by creating an urban village near the Shady Grove Metro Station.

The David F. Bone EMTOC is a collection of 12 buildings serving the Department of Transportation’s divisions of Transit Services and Highway Services and the Department of General Services’ Division of Fleet Management. The overall project is designed to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification by incorporating innovative features, including reclaiming water for bus washing and toilet flushing, four acres of green roofs and solar panels.

Leggett also announced that the Department of General Services Division of Fleet Management Services has added 40 new, clean diesel buses to the Ride On fleet. This is the largest number of buses purchased at one time since 2009. With this most recent acquisition, more than 75 percent of the Ride On fleet is comprised of clean diesel, hybrid electric-diesel or compressed natural gas buses.

EMTOC is named for the late David F. Bone, Ride On’s senior planner from its creation in 1973 until 2000. He was the chief architect of Ride On’s service philosophy, route design and structure, creating the concept of Ride On as a neighborhood feeder system to Metrorail and Metrobus. Bone was involved in every aspect of Ride On, including attending all public hearings, participating in union negotiations, developing strategic plans and creating transit centers, such as those at Lakeforest and Montgomery malls and the Germantown Transit Center. Bone died in 2009.

More information is available on the County’s website.

Bikeshare Begins in Montgomery County

On September 27, Montgomery County celebrated the opening of the first 14 of 51 Bikeshare stations that are being installed in Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Rockville, Shady Grove and the Life Sciences Center area. The County’s Bikeshare program is part of the regional Capital Bikeshare network, which includes the District of Columbia, Arlington and Alexandria.

Bike sharing provides short-term bicycle rentals at self-service docking stations. Bikes may be picked up at one location and returned to another, creating a system that allows for one-way trips.

Membership options include $75 for a year, $25 for a month or $7 for one day. Yearly and monthly memberships may be purchased online or by phone, while three-day and one-day memberships may be purchased with a credit card at any Bikeshare station. The County’s program offers special assistance to low-income users, making it particularly appealing to those who hold multiple jobs or participate in job training programs.

More information is available on the County’s website.

Volunteer Cyclist Promoted Capital Bikeshare by Riding to all Montgomery County Stations

Earlier this month, volunteer MoCo Epic bike rider Mark Mervine used Bikeshare bikes to ride station-to-station to the first 14 of the County’s newly installed Capital Bikeshare locations. Mervine was promoting the launch of the program in Montgomery County and encouraged residents to try this option for commuting and other transportation needs. In the next few weeks, a total of 51 bikeshare stations will be installed in Montgomery County.

The MoCo Epic is a two-day mountain bike festival that was held in the County. Among the sponsors were Capital Bikeshare/Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and Montgomery Parks.

Open Bikeshare stations are shown on Captial Bikeshare’s website as is more information about bikeshare and how to join.

Ride On Modifies Selected Bus Schedules

On October 20, Montgomery County’s Ride On bus system made schedule modifications to 25 bus routes. Many of the changes involved only minor time adjustments so bus schedules more closely match actual travel times in traffic.

A complete listing of the affected routes is available on the County’s website. For Ride On schedule information, visit the Division of Transit’s website.

County Prepares for Winter Storm Season

On October 30, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Division of Highway Services (DHS), conducted an all-day exercise to test the preparedness of the County’s snow plans and fleet. Snow plow operators ran snow routes on the nearly 5,000 lane miles of County-maintained roads as staff handled a simulated eight-inch snow storm.

Two days later, DHS held its Snow Summit at the new Gaithersburg Depot, home to the largest salt barn on the east coast. Officials from all County agencies with snow removal responsibilities gather at the annual event to assess their readiness for winter storms and discuss new initiatives.

This year, DHS is introducing a new Road Weather Information System consisting of four pavement monitoring stations that will be strategically placed in areas of the County that experience different microclimates. The stations will monitor pavement temperature, humidity, dew point, ambient temperature and “grip factor.” When environmental conditions are conducive to producing black ice, ice or slippery conditions, the stations will send automatic notifications to DHS so it can take proactive measures to treat the pavement.

Check the County’s website for more information and frequently asked questions about snow removal operations.

Update on Road Maintenance Projects

Several new road maintenance projects by the Division of Highway Services (DHS) are beginning in local subdivisions.

Paving projects, in which crews resurface local streets with hot mix asphalt, include:

• Diamondback Drive, Gaithersburg, between Sam Eig Highway and Muddy Branch Road, will be resurfaced beginning on or about the week of November 1. The project should be completed within about five weeks, weather permitting. Work hours are between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Work began at the end of October to repave Stedwick Road, between Watkins Mill Road and Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg. The project should take about five weeks to complete, weather permitting. Work hours are between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Work began in mid-October to repave Hidden Glen Lane off Turkey Food Road in North Potomac. The project should be completed in about four weeks, weather permitting. Work hours are between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Permanent patching projects, in which crews make structural, permanent patches to the road, is a cost effective interim solution to maintaining roadway structural integrity. DHS began patching the Derwood Station neighborhood in Derwood in mid-October. The project should be completed by mid-November, weather permitting. Work hours are between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Crews make concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs to replace defective sections of curbs or sidewalks; ensure structural integrity and proper drainage; and remove tripping hazards. Under this operation, residents can take advantage of discounts for concrete work under the driveway apron and lead walk repair program. Upcoming projects include:

• Kingswell/Glenmont Forest, Wheaton, is about 65 percent complete. The remainder of the project will be completed in the spring.
• Tuckerman Lane, between Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda, was recently completed.

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.

Leggett and Local Officials Celebrated Walk to School Day at Kensington Parkwood Elementary School

On October 8, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett celebrated International Walk to School Day at Kensington Parkwood Elementary School, where they have begun a “School Pool” program. School Pool is a free, interactive, safe and secure matching service for parents of children who attend the same school and want to share the responsibility of transporting students using a “walking school bus”, a bike train or even a traditional carpool.

Following the walk, AAA Mid-Atlantic sponsored two assemblies for kindergarten, first and second grades featuring the robot Otto the Auto -- who teaches children safe walking tips.

Walk to School Day events focus on the need for safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools and the broader community.

Sponsors of this year’s event at Kensington Parkwood Elementary School were Safe Kids Montgomery County, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Foundation for Safety and Education, Federal Express, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Montgomery County Police, Maryland Safe Routes Network, the Maryland State Highway Administration, Safe Routes to School National Partnership and Clif Kid.

Local Officials Launch Fall Street Smart Campaign with Moving Tribute to the 400 Pedestrians Struck in Region Last Year

On October 22, regional officials gathered at Upper Senate Park in Washington, D.C. to kick off the fall Street Smart campaign. Joining them was special guest Gwendolyn Ward. She shared the story of her 15-year-old daughter, Christina Morris-Ward, who was struck by a car and killed on Halloween one year ago while crossing the street in Germantown on her way to school in the dark.

The Roaring Bengal Marching Band from James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring played a dirge in recognition of the 72 pedestrians and cyclists killed in the region last year. At the same time, a bell tolled in recognition of each pedestrian killed in 2012. With each ring, a single band member ceased playing his or her instrument and left the instrument on the ground. The song ended with a lone trumpeter playing amid a sea of abandoned instruments.

This month, regional safety officials came together to remind drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to pay extra attention to one another on area roadways, particularly as the change back to standard time is linked to an increase in crashes. The annual Street Smart public education campaign is encouraging area residents to be more alert. Last year, in November and December there were more than 400 crashes involving pedestrians in the Washington metro region.

Street Smart safety tips and more information about the campaign are available online.

Seasonal Time Change Heralds Most Dangerous Time of the Year for Drivers and Pedestrians

The months of October, November and December are the scariest time of the year for pedestrians in Montgomery County, because pedestrian collisions typically spike by nearly 40 percent during these months. With the end of daylight saving time on November 3, fewer daylight hours only contribute to the problem. According to federal safety officials, 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities happen during the night time hours.

In 2007, Leggett introduced an aggressive pedestrian safety initiative that is investing millions of dollars in safety improvements that are making a difference. The County is also partnering with the Maryland State Highway Administration to address collisions on State roads (roads in the County that are numbered), which are the busiest corridors in the County.

Drivers are urged to help improve pedestrian safety and keep in mind the following:

• Pedestrians can be nearly invisible in the dark and in bad weather.
• Pedestrians may be unpredictable. Be aware and be prepared to stop.
• Slow down and obey the posted speed limits.
• Don’t drive distractedly – when in the car, focus only on driving.
• Be patient, especially when young children, seniors or persons with disabilities are present.

Pedestrians are urged to do their part by practicing the following safety tips:

• Cross the street at signals, marked crosswalks and intersections. Don’t step off the curb without looking left, right and then left again.
• Remain vigilant when crossing the street.
• Be alert for drivers who aren’t paying attention. Doing everything right – crossing with a walk signal and in the crosswalk – is not enough to guarantee safety.
• Don’t count on drivers to see you or react in time.
• Get off the cell phone and stop texting – don’t walk when distracted.
• Stay visible after dark and in bad weather by wearing reflective items.

More safety information is available on the County’s website.

New Traffic Laws Become Effective October 1; No Hand-Held Cell Phone Use, Seat Belts for All passengers

 Residents are reminded that two new State traffic laws went into effect on October 1.

First, a fully licensed driver is not permitted to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Police are enforcing this ban as a primary traffic offense, meaning that officers can ticket drivers solely for violating this law. It is not against the law to attach and use a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth. But, officers encourage drivers to refrain from using a cell phone while driving so they can concentrate fully on their driving responsibilities. Texting while driving is already a primary offense. The penalty for the first violation of this law is $83, the second violation penalty is $140 and the fine for the third and subsequent offenses is $160.

The other new law requires that every vehicle occupant use either a seat belt or child safety restraint. Anyone over the age of 16 riding in either the front or the back seat will be required to use a seat belt. Residents are also reminded that the number of passengers in a vehicle cannot exceed the number of seat belts in that vehicle, and no more than one person can be buckled in a single seat belt.

Bethesda Metro Escalators to be Replaced

In November, the Bethesda Metro escalators between the street-level entrance on Old Georgetown Road and Wisconsin Avenue and the bus bay level will be replaced. The long escalators between the bus-bay level and the mezzanine will be replaced in the Spring of 2014.

Bethesda Avenue-Woodmont Avenue Project Update

Work continues at the former site of the County’s parking lot at the corner of Bethesda and Woodmont avenues in Bethesda. The west side of the site continues to progress at a faster pace than the east side. At the east end of the site, framing and concrete pouring of the final foundation footers is nearly complete. A small model of the project, set up on the northwest corner of the site near the construction trailers, can be viewed from Bethesda Avenue.

No Parking at Meters on Tuckerman Lane Near Strathmore for Four Days in November

From November 19 to 22, no public parking will be allowed at the parking meters along Tuckerman Lane near the Grosvenor/Strathmore Metrorail station. During this time, the meter spaces will be reserved for school buses when 10,000 Montgomery County Public School second graders attend Strathmore for a series of free concerts by the National Philharmonic. This is the ninth year these concerts have been held. To accommodate all the students, seven daytime performances are scheduled.

New Teen Drivers with Teen Passengers at Higher Risk for Fatal Crashes

The Washington Post recently reported that a Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) study found that new, 15-to-17-year-old drivers are almost eight times as likely to get into a fatal accident when they are carrying two or more teen passengers. The report author, Russell Henk, suspects that texting during driving may be a contributing factor in the collisions. The report states that new drivers may be more distracted by other teens in the vehicle.

The full Washington Post article is available online.

Metro Opens New Parking Garage at Twinbrook Metro Station

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) opened a new 426-space parking garage at the Twinbrook Metrorail Station on October 7. The new Metro West Garage was constructed by JBG as part of a joint development project and provides replacement parking for an existing surface parking lot that will be used for retail, residential and offices.

Existing traffic patterns and parking rates ($4.75 on weekdays, free on weekends) will not change. The new Metro West Garage will be accessible from Chapman Avenue, which is adjacent to the station.

Construction has begun on the second phase of the project, which includes 206 apartments (15 percent affordable) and 33,000 square feet of retail shops.

See Metro’s website for more details.

Teens Continue to be at Risk Crossing Streets While Texting

High school students can't put their phones down, even when crossing a dangerous street. A new study quantifies just how often kids walk while distracted by technology. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, one in five high school students and one in eight middle school students cross the street while doing something with a digital device.

Pedestrian injuries among teenagers, in particular, have been on the rise, increasing 25% in the last five years in the 16-19 year-old age group. Crossing streets while staring at a screen is one suggested reason. Listening to music and texting were the top distractions. Thirty-nine percent of the students who were crossing the street while distracted were typing on a cell phone and another 39 percent were listening to headphones. Girls were a little more likely to walk distractedly than boys, but just barely.

(Source: WNYC.org, August 29, 2013 as cited in the NETS eNewsletter, September, 2013. To see the full article, go to the WNYC website.)

MCDOT to Construct Dual Bikeway on Woodglen Drive

MCDOT is installing a dual bikeway along a portion of Woodglen Drive that includes:

• An eight-foot, off-road, shared use bikepath on the west side of Woodglen Drive between Edson and Nicholson lanes in North Bethesda;
• An on-road, six-foot-wide bike lane on the east side of Woodglen Drive (in the northbound travel lane); and
• An on-road shared lane, or “sharrow” on the west side of Woodglen Drive (in the southbound travel lane).

Sharrows are pavement markings that alert motorists to the presence of bicyclists and encourage safer passing practices.

The Woodglen dual bikeway will provide an important link to the Bethesda Trolley Trail and access to Metro stations, as well as retail and neighborhood activity centers in the Rockville and North Bethesda areas.

In Maryland, bicycles are classified as vehicles and are permitted on any road where the speed limit is posted at 50 mph or below. The on-road bicycle lanes will require the removal of six metered parking spaces along Woodglen Drive. Travel lanes will be narrowed for the sharrow. To enhance safety, discourage speeding and alert motorists to those using the path, curb extenders will be built at the intersection of Executive Boulevard and Woodglen Drive.

For more information on bicycle infrastructure projects, visit MCDOT's bikeways website.

Distracted Driving Causing More Pedestrian and Cyclist Collisions

According to dc.streetsblog.org, total traffic deaths have declined nationwide in recent years, but the same has not held true for the most vulnerable people on the streets -- cyclists and pedestrians. In 2011, 130 more pedestrians were killed in traffic than the year before, a three percent increase, while 54 more people lost their lives while biking, an increase of eight percent. The same year, overall traffic deaths declined two percent.

A new study published in Public Health Reports, the journal of the U.S. Public Health Service and the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, reveals that distracted driving — particularly driving while texting — partially explains the rising death toll.

Leggett Announces Availability of First Montgomery County Bikeshare Stations; Program is First Bikeshare in Maryland

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett (second from right) launched the first installment of the County’s 51 Bikeshare stations with 450 bikes. Bikeshare riders will be able to use any bike in the regional Capital Bikeshare network including the District of Columbia, Arlington and Alexandria. Pictured are (from left to right) Montgomery County Councilmembers Hans Riemer and Roger Berliner (Valerie Ervin not pictured), Maryland Transportation Secretary James T. Smith, Jr. and Senator Brian Frosh.

 On September 27, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett celebrated the grand opening of the County’s Bikeshare Network, launching the first installment of 51 Bikeshare stations and 450 bikes in Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Rockville, Shady Grove and the Life Sciences Center area. Montgomery County’s Bikeshare program is the first in Maryland and is part of the regional Capital Bikeshare network, linking the County with the District of Columbia, Arlington and Alexandria’s Bikeshare systems.

Leggett made the announcement in Rockville at one of the 21 area stations designed to encourage low-income reverse commuters and job trainees to use Bikeshare. Those who qualify will receive a free, one-year membership in Capital Bikeshare.

Bikesharing provides short-term bicycle rentals at self-service, automated, solar-powered docking stations located at publicly accessible sites. Bikes may be picked up at one location and returned to another, creating a system that allows for one-way trips. Bikeshare is considered ideal for short trips of less than five miles. Trips under 30 minutes are included in the membership fee, while longer trips are charged based on their duration.

Over the next few weeks, the remaining Montgomery County stations will open. More information about Bikeshare and a map showing installed stations in the County is available online. For information on eligibility for free Bikeshare memberships and program benefits for low income residents, contact Montgomery County Commuter Services by email or phone at 240-777-8380.

Pedestrian Safety Volunteers Needed in Bethesda and Silver Spring

Building on a successful pedestrian safety volunteer program in Wheaton, the Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Pedestrian Safety Initiative is expanding its outreach effort to Silver Spring and Bethesda. Once trained, volunteers in these areas will work with the County to spread the pedestrian safety message, educating both pedestrians and drivers on how to stay safe.

Volunteers are needed for the Taste of Bethesda on October 5. Learn more by emailing MCDOT or calling 240-777-7195. More information about Montgomery County’s pedestrian safety program is available online.

Metro Proposes Extending K9 Bus Service to White Oak

In January, County Executive Ike Leggett celebrated the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (Metro) creation of the K9 express bus service along New Hampshire Avenue and called on Metro to extend the service to White Oak. Metro is now proposing to extend the K9 bus service to the White Oak Shopping Center.

Currently, the K9 travels between Northwest Park and the Fort Totten Metrorail station. Under the proposed service change, the K9 would be extended to White Oak with new limited stops at Oakview Drive, Hillandale Shopping Center, Schindler Drive/Mahan Road/Food and Drug Administration, Lockwood Drive and the White Oak Transit Center. The service would operate every 12 to15 minutes during the morning and evening rush hours.

This New Hampshire Avenue corridor is one of the highest ridership routes in Maryland, with more than 5,800 weekday riders, 5,300 Saturday riders and 3,400 Sunday riders. More information about the proposed change is available on Metro’s website.

Update on Road Maintenance Projects

Several new road maintenance projects by the Division of Highway Services are beginning in local subdivisions.

Under the Rural and Residential Road Rehabilitation program, improvements have begun to Serenity Lane in Rockville that include replacing the roadway pavement, defective curbs and sidewalks, and resurfacing with hot mix asphalt. The project should be completed in late fall.

A paving project, in which crews will resurface the local streets with hot mix asphalt, began on Dufief Mill Road between Darnestown and Travilah roads in North Potomac, is expected to be completed in about eight weeks, weather permitting. Work hours will be between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Permanent patching projects, in which crews make structural, permanent patches to the road, are a cost-effective interim solution to maintaining roadway structural integrity.

Current projects include:

• Oakview community in Silver Spring. The project began the third week in September and should be completed within three to four weeks, weather permitting. Work hours will be between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Saddle Ridge subdivision in Potomac. The project will begin late September and should be completed within three to four weeks, weather permitting. Work hours will be between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Fairland Heights and Fairland Estates subdivisions in Fairland. The project began in late September and should be completed within four to six weeks, weather permitting. Work hours will be between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

More information on resurfacing projects throughout the County is available on the Division of Highway Services’ website or by calling 311 (TTY, call 301-251-4850), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

State Highway Administration to Hold Open House on Carroll Avenue Bridge Repairs Planned for 2015

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will be holding an information session to acquaint the public with a proposed bridge repair project for the Maryland Route 195 Bridge over Sligo Creek and Sligo Creek Parkway. The project will replace the bridge deck, sidewalk, and railings and rehabilitate major elements of the bridge, including the beams and columns that support the deck. To complete the work, the bridge will be closed to traffic and a detour established around the area that will route traffic along Philadelphia, Maple and Flower avenues.

At the open house, staff will present display boards detailing the project. No formal presentations will be made, so residents are invited to stop in anytime during the session, which will be held on October 2 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Takoma Park Middle School cafeteria, 7611 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring.

Additional project details are available on SHA’s website.

Residents’ Guide Now Available in Multiple Languages

MCDOT’s Resident’s Guide to Services is now available in Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. The guide helps direct residents to information about all of MCDOT’s basic services as well as those provided by the Maryland State Highway Administration. Service areas outlined in the guide include:

• Office of the Director: Adopt-a-Road, beautification grants, graffiti removal, pedestrian safety, storm drain marking and Keep Montgomery County Beautiful.
• Transit Services: Ride On schedules and information, commuter services, taxicab licensing and special transportation programs, especially those aimed at seniors and persons with disabilities.
• Transportation Engineering: Sidewalks, ADA ramps, bikeways, bridges, storm drains, public roads, highways and transit facilities.
• Highway Services: Vacuum leaf collection, right-of-way maintenance and trees, potholes, roadway paving, snow removal and storm drain maintenance.
• Parking Management: County parking garages and lots, parking permits, Cash Key, parking meters, parking enforcement and tickets.
• Traffic Engineering: Residential parking, lane markings, crosswalk striping, traffic calming measures, traffic signals and streetlights.

Copies of the guide in English and the other languages are available on the County’s website.

Residents Encouraged to Participate in Walk to School Day on October 9 - Organize an Event or Take Part in One at a Neighborhood School

Looking for a healthy way to start the day? Join thousands of students, parents and community members throughout Montgomery County in celebrating the simple act of walking or bicycling to school on International Walk to School Day, Wednesday, October 9. Last year, 47 schools in the County participated.

International Walk to School Day was founded in 1997 as a way to bring community leaders and children together to promote more walkable communities, safer streets for walking and biking, healthier habits and cleaner air. Those who would like to participate but live too far from school to walk may choose to drive part of the distance, park and walk the rest of the way.

This year, the County’s focus school for the event will be Kensington Parkwood Elementary School, 4710 Saul Road in Kensington.

For more information about Walk to School Day or organizing an event at a local school, email Nadji Kirby or visit the County’s website.

SafeKids Worldwide Launches “Moment of Silence” Campaign that Honors Student Christina Morris-Ward, Pedestrian Killed on Halloween 2012

SafeKids Worldwide has launched a “Moment of Silence” campaign to highlight the dangers of distracted walking, urging students and parents to take the pledge “devices down, heads up.” The campaign honors Christina Morris-Ward, a 15-year-old Seneca Valley High School student who was struck by a car and killed on Halloween 2012 while, according to her mother Gwen Ward, dressed in dark clothes, wearing headphones and looking down at her phone as she started to cross the street.

Ward’s story is featured on the SafeKids Worldwide website that also remembers the thousands of teens who are hit by cars each year. According to SafeKids, teens account for 50 percent of all pedestrian deaths among kids aged 19 and under. Injuries among older teens are on the rise – an increase of 25 percent over the previous five years, which the website attributes to distracted walking. SafeKids is a program of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services.

Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation is developing an education program aimed at high school students that will be launched later this year to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

For more information about Montgomery County’s pedestrian safety program, visit the County’s website.

Public Input Sought on Proposed Trail Signage along Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail

Montgomery Parks is seeking input by September 30 on proposed trail signage intended to improve wayfinding along the 14-mile hard surface Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail in Montgomery County and the adjacent neighborhood trail connectors leading to the main trail. Comments will be used to help develop a Trail Signage Design Manual for future hard surface trail signage improvement projects in the Montgomery Parks trail system.

More information about the project is available online or by calling 301-495-2595.

New Traffic Laws Go into Effect October 1

 Starting October 1, using a handheld cell phone while driving will become a primary traffic violation in Maryland and those cited will be subject to an $83 fine for the first violation. Using a handheld cell phone is already illegal in Maryland, but officers could only stop drivers if they were also observed committing another traffic violation. The new law will allow officers to stop drivers solely for using a handheld cell phone while driving. Texting while driving is already a primary offense. The County’s website has more details about the new law.

Another new law will require that every vehicle occupant use a seat belt or child safety restraint. Anyone over age 16 riding in either the front or back seat will be required to use a seat belt.

Purple Line Environmental Review and Comment Period Extended to October 21

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), has extended the public comment period for the Purple Line Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation (FEIS) through Monday, October 21.

The FEIS identifies and addresses issues raised by agency and public stakeholders throughout the project development phase. Copies of the FEIS are available online. Comments can be submitted online or by email with “FEIS COMMENT” as the subject heading.

The Purple Line is a proposed $2.2 billion, 16-mile, 21-station modern light rail line that would provide connections to major business districts and activity centers in Bethesda, Silver Spring, Takoma/Langley Park, College Park/University of Maryland and New Carrollton, as well as link to Metrorail’s Red, Green and Orange lines. The average daily ridership in 2040 is anticipated to be more than 74,000.

(Source: MTA)

MDOT Releases Draft 2035 Maryland Transportation Plan: Seeks Public Comment

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking public review and comment on its recently released Draft 2035 Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP). The MTP outlines the State’s transportation goals, policies and priorities for the next 20 years. The plan is updated every five years and helps guide statewide policy and investment decisions. Comments can be provided until November 1 by email.

Adopt A Road Program Reports FY13 Clean Up Totals

As of June 30, there were 362 community groups enrolled in Montgomery County’s Adopt A Road program, in which residents, civic, business, and other groups or individuals volunteer to pick up trash and litter along roadways. About 40 percent of the groups (146) reported they had conducted 520 clean ups that removed 2,262 (32 gallon) bags of trash.

Adopt A Road not only keeps the County looking clean, volunteer activities also protect the County’s streams and creeks from degradation and pollution resulting from harmful litter and debris washing into streams during rain storms.

For more information on the program, including a list of selected candidate roads available for adoption, visit MCDOT’s Adopt A Road website or call the Community Outreach office at 240-777-7155.

Metro Advises Riders of Upcoming Major Work on Red Line

Metro is advising riders of major track work that will occur October 4 through 6 that will affect several downtown stations.

Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, October 4 through system closing Sunday, October 6, free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet stations to allow for major rebuilding work through the downtown area. The work includes replacement and renewal of third-rail components, installation of new rail fasteners, elimination of joints between sections of rail and structural work.

As a result, Farragut North, Judiciary Square and Union Station will be closed. Gallery Place will remain open for Yellow and Green line service only; Metro Center will remain open for Blue and Orange line service only.

During that weekend, Red Line trains will operate as follows:

• Between Shady Grove and Dupont Circle - Every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and at regular weekend intervals (every 15-20 minutes) at other times.
• Between Glenmont and NoMa-Gallaudet - Every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and at regular weekend intervals (every 15-20 minutes) at other times.

Within the work zone, shuttle buses will operate on two routes:

• Limited stop buses will travel between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet stations with intermediate stops at Metro Center and Gallery Place only.
• Local buses will travel between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet making all intermediate stops (Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place, Judiciary Square and Union Station).

Metro recommends the following travel options:

• From the eastern side of the Red Line, use the Green Line between Fort Totten and downtown destinations.
• Metrobus may be a good alternate for some riders, including those along Wisconsin Ave. NW and Connecticut Ave. NW. To check, use Metro's trip planner and select the "bus only" option.
• Riders transferring between the Blue/Orange and Green/Yellow lines should use L'Enfant Plaza.

(Source: Metro news release)

Leggett Joins O’Malley/Brown Administration in Announcing $630 Million Investment in County’s Transportation Network and $400 Million for Construction of Purple Line

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett joined Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown during their announcement that Montgomery County will be receiving $628 million in transportation investments and an additional $400 million for construction of the Purple Line. Brown also announced that the Purple Line will be built as a public-private partnership under HB 560, the law he championed to attract private investment for new infrastructure in Maryland.

O’Malley recognized the critical role Leggett played in advocating for the passage of the Transportation Act and Leggett recognized and thanked the County’s State delegation for their efforts.

In addition to the Purple Line, critical projects receiving funding include the Corridor Cities Transitway, I-270/Watkins Mill Road Interchange, Ride On Bus, MD97 Relocation Near Brookeville, US29 Interchanges Design at Musgrove Road and Fairland Road, MD124 Widening (Phase 2) and the MD28/MD198 Corridor Transportation Improvement Study.

The County’s news release provides more details about the projects and their funding levels.

Update on Road Maintenance Projects

A hot mix asphalt paving project to resurface Bonifant Road, from Layhill Road to New Hampshire Avenue in the Colesville service area, began in early August and should be completed in late September. Work hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Another hot mix asphalt paving project will begin the second week in September to resurface 2nd Avenue in Silver Spring from Spring Street to Seminary Road. The work will take about eight weeks to complete. Work hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Permanent patching projects to maintain roadway structural integrity begun in August include:

• Stonecrest-Snowden Mills community, in the Colesville service area. 
• Ambleside Drive from Glenn Road to Betteker Lane, in the Gaithersburg West service area. 

Beginning the second week in September, roads in the Goshen Estates neighborhood in Gaithersburg will also be permanently patched. The permanent patching projects take about three to four weeks to complete, weather permitting, Work occurs between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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.

State Begins Safety and Resurfacing Project on Georgia Avenue/MD97

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) began a $4.6 million safety and resurfacing project along nearly two miles of MD97 (Georgia Avenue) from the Washington, D.C. line to MD390 (16th Street) in Silver Spring. Weather permitting, the work will be completed by late fall. Motorists and pedestrians traveling in this area should plan ahead, add extra commute time and be aware of shifting traffic and walking patterns.

The work will:

• Reconstruct existing sidewalks to ensure they meet ADA standards and are at least five feet wide; 
• Repair and replace existing inlets and pipes; 
• Patch damaged sections of pavement prior to resurfacing; 
• Install new curb and gutter; 
• Resurface Georgia Avenue; 
• Replace traffic signal pavement detectors at the intersection of MD 97 and MD 390; and 
• Install new line striping and pavement markings. 

SHA’s contractor is permitted to close one lane of Georgia Avenue in both directions weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and up to two lanes overnight Sunday through Thursday, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Drivers are urged to stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.

For more information, see SHA’s press release.

Franklin Knolls Neighborhood Refurbishment Project Starting

The Franklin Knolls community is the most recent neighborhood to benefit from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Residential Road Rehabilitation program. In response to County Executive Ike Leggett’s call for a more systematic approach to maintaining our transportation infrastructure, MCDOT biennially assesses the condition of every County road. Franklin Knolls, located in Silver Spring, had many streets rated very poor.

The rehabilitation project will renew seven lane miles of concrete and asphalt, remove and replace defective curbs and sidewalks, conduct full depth pavement patching and repave the streets with hot mix asphalt. The project includes the option for residents to make concrete repairs on their property at reduced cost.

MCDOT does not widen or alter the character of the streets and takes special care to preserve the trees in the right-of-way during construction.

More information is available on the Division of Highway Services’ website.

Renew Montgomery Restores and Improves Older Communities

Newly Released Progress Report Tracks Investment in 72 Neighborhoods

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) recently released the 2013 progress report on Renew Montgomery, a program that restores and replaces deteriorating infrastructure in mature neighborhoods. Since the program began in 1996, 72 neighborhoods have been upgraded with investments of more than $68 million.

Renew Montgomery is a community-driven program that seeks early input from homeowner or civic association leaders who identify neighborhood priorities. Renew Montgomery neighborhoods can receive a variety of services, including repair or installation of new curbs, gutters, and sidewalks; repair and maintenance of roads; renovation of streets, roads and walkways to make them accessible and comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act; installation of traffic calming modifications; installation of improved or new streetlights; repair or replacement of traffic signs and pavement markings; installation of Ride On bus stop amenities; tree maintenance and replacement plantings; storm drain improvements; and award of neighborhood beautification grants to assist communities with landscaping and beautification projects. MCDOT typically spends several years completing projects in these established neighborhoods.

The Renew Montgomery progress report is available on the County’s website. For a copy of the report, or for more information about Renew Montgomery, call MCDOT’s Community Outreach Office at 240-777-7155.

Drainage Project Causes Short Term Closure of Annapolis Rock Road

The Division of Highway Services began a project at the end of August to replace a culvert and improve drainage in eastern Damascus near the Howard County line. The project will require about a two week closure of Annapolis Rock Road at the creek near the PEPCO power transmission lines. Message boards will direct drivers around the closure.

Replacement of the culvert is urgent. Army Corps of Engineers approval of the project was required due to the sensitive nature of the pristine wetlands encompassing the area.

MCDOT to Construct Dual Bikeway on Woodglen Drive

Beginning this fall, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will start construction of a dual bikeway that includes:

• An eight-foot, off-road, shared use bikepath on the west side of Woodglen Drive between Edson and Nicholson lanes in North Bethesda; 
• An on-road, six-foot-wide bike lane on the east side of Woodglen Drive (in the northbound travel lane); and 
• An on-road shared lane, or “sharrow” on the west side of Woodglen Drive (in the southbound travel lane). 

Sharrows are pavement markings that alert motorists to the presence of bicyclists and encourage safer passing practices.

The Woodglen dual bikeway will provide an important link to the Bethesda Trolley Trail and access to Metro stations, retail and neighborhood activity centers in the Rockville and North Bethesda areas.

In Maryland, bicycles are classified as vehicles and are permitted on any road where the speed limit is posted at 50 mph or below. The on-road bicycle lanes will require the removal of six metered parking spaces along Woodglen Drive. Travel lanes will be narrowed for the sharrow. To enhance safety, discourage speeding and alert motorists to those using the path, curb extenders will be built at the intersection of Executive Boulevard and Woodglen Drive.

Bikeshare Coming Soon to Montgomery County

Memberships Now Available

Capital Bikeshare stations are coming soon to Montgomery County. A membership in the program allows use of bikes in any of the participating jurisdictions, including Washington D.C., Arlington and Alexandria.

Montgomery County’s system will have 450 bikes at 51 stations located in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Friendship Heights, Bethesda, Rockville, Shady Grove and the Life Sciences Center. More details about the County’s bikeshare program are available online.

Join online to enjoy the benefits of quick, easy connections between home and transit, work, school or job training centers.

Free Bikeshare memberships are available to those who qualify based on income eligibility through the County’s federal Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) grant. The special County program is aimed at those using bikeshare in the Rockville, Shady Grove and Life Sciences Center areas. The County’s JARC grant will support use of bikeshare to commute to work or school or complete job training. Those who qualify will also receive free bicycle education, safety training, a free helmet and route planning assistance. To find out more about eligibility requirements, email or call Commuter Services at 240-777-8380.

Leggett Celebrates Completion of Shady Grove Access Bike Path

Bike Path Will Enhance Smart Growth Initiative Transformation of Area

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett celebrated the completion of the Shady Grove Access Bike Path that provides a safe pathway to the Shady Grove Metro Station for bicyclists and pedestrians and a connection to other area sidewalks and bikeways. By improving access to transit, residents may be encouraged to not only travel by bike, but also combine bicycle trips with buses, Metro and walking.

The new, 10-foot bike path extends 4,700 feet from Shady Grove Road to Redland Road along the east side of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metro Access Road. Included in the project is a bikeway ramp from the new bike path to an existing bikeway on Crabbs Branch Way. To enhance safety, a pedestrian-activated traffic signal was installed at the crossing to the Metro station.

More information is available on the County’s website.

Bicyclists Who Park at Metro Urged to Register their Bikes

Metro Transit Police recently launched a free online registration service for bike riders who park their bikes at Metro facilities. Providing the make, model, serial number, color and frame size of the bike will assist Police in identifying and recovering a bicycle if it is stolen or lost.

Police urge riders to practice basic security measures, such as locking their bike to an authorized rack (not a sign post or fence), keeping a copy of the bike’s serial number on hand and hiding a business or index card with the owner’s name and phone number inside the bike frame.

Leggett Celebrates Pedestrian Safety Improvements in Wheaton

Thanks Wheaton Pedestrian Volunteers for their Efforts to Educate Public

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett celebrated the completion of pedestrian safety improvements installed by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) on Reedie Drive, between Veirs Mill Road and Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. This 800-foot stretch of road was targeted because it was designated as one of the County’s “High Incidence Areas” (HIAs) -- locations having the highest density of pedestrian collisions. Between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2012, there were 20 pedestrian collisions, including one fatality, in the Reedie Drive HIA.

The Reedie Drive area is heavily traveled by pedestrians going to Wheaton Westfield Shopping Mall, the Wheaton Metro Station, public parking, retail shops, restaurants and nearby bus stops. Wheaton redevelopment is expected to further increase pedestrian activity.

The engineering improvements along Reedie Drive already appear to be reducing traffic speeds and increasing compliance of drivers yielding to pedestrians.

Leggett also thanked members of a group of 30 Spanish- and English-speaking pedestrian safety advocates who have been conducting education activities in Wheaton/Aspen Hill for 15 months. Several of the volunteers were instrumental in working with the State of Maryland to have a new signal installed at the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Claridge Road to improve pedestrian safety in this heavily traveled area.

More details about the Reedie Drive improvements and the volunteer outreach efforts are available on the County’s website.

Seven Locks Sidewalk Improves County’s Pedestrian Infrastructure

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) recently installed 1.25 miles of new sidewalk along Seven Locks Road in response to a request from the president of the Montgomery Square Civic Association. This project included the installation of ADA compliant ramps, selected driveway aprons and new, five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk panels.

This sidewalk project, costing about $270,000, provides a safe and convenient connection for pedestrians to religious institutions, retail stores and other activity centers. MCDOT’s Sidewalk Program provides funding to expand the sidewalk network throughout the County. Concurrently, the Division of Highway Services resurfaced this same segment of Seven Locks Road, milling and patching the pavement where needed, applying a layer of hot mix asphalt and restriping the road.

More information on sidewalk or roadway projects is available on the Division of Transportation Engineering’s website.

Fire and Rescue Releases Back to School Safety Tips

As children across the region head back to school, Montgomery County Fire Chief Steve Lohr is asking all drivers to exercise extra caution and be alert. A recent Fire and Rescue Service press release suggests ways to enhance safety.

County Council to Hold Public Hearing on the Proposed Rapid Transit System

The Montgomery County Council will hold a two-day public hearing on the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan. The hearing will be held in Rockville on September 24 and 26, beginning each evening at 7:30 p.m.

For more information or to testify, call 240-777-7803 by 10 a.m. on the preferred testimony day or visit the Council’s website. Learn more about the Rapid Transit System on the County’s website.

Ride On to Hold Public Forum on Proposed Changes to Routes 83 and 94

Montgomery County will hold a public forum on proposed changes to Ride On Bus routes 83 and 94 on Thursday, September 26 at the Upcounty Regional Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown. The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end after the last speaker presents remarks. In case of inclement weather, the public forum will be held on October 3.

Ride On is considering the following changes/additions to service:

• Route 83 - Extend service to the future Holy Cross Hospital site in Germantown by extending the route along Observation Drive through Montgomery College/Germantown to the hospital. The existing Route 83 operates between the Germantown Transit Center and the Milestone Park & Ride Lot via Dorsey Mill Road, with some service to the Germantown MARC Station. 
• Route 94 – A new route for this bus line called “Meet the MARC” is proposed to address greater demand for transit service in the Upcounty area, connect MARC commuter train service to Rockville, Silver Spring and Washington, D.C. and serve residents of the Clarksburg community. The new Route 94 will originate in the morning in Clarksburg and operate via Clarksburg Road, Snowden Farm Parkway, Little Seneca Parkway, Meadow Mist Road, Skylark Road, Ridge Road, Father Hurley Boulevard., Dawson Farm Road and Liberty Mill Road and end at the lower level of the Germantown MARC Station. The last day of service for the existing Route 94 will be Friday, October 18. 

Additional information regarding these proposed changes is available on Ride On’s website.

Bethesda Avenue-Woodmont Avenue Project Update

Work continues at the former site of the County’s parking lot at the corner of Bethesda and Woodmont avenues in Bethesda. The project is in its final weeks of excavation work. Concrete operations are in full swing, including rebar placement and concrete pours and finishing. Footings are completed on the west side of the site. Under construction are elevated decks in the northwest corner and pouring of final footings and slabs on the east side.

Restoration of the Capital Crescent Trail immediately adjacent to Lot 31, including a protective cover, has been completed.

Motorists are reminded that Woodmont Avenue remains closed from Miller to Bethesda avenues. Only vehicles with business on Miller or who live off Miller Avenue should enter Woodmont Avenue northbound at Wisconsin.

When completed, the public-private partnership project will feature 940 underground public parking spaces.

More information on parking options in Bethesda is available on the Division of Parking Management’s website.

Planners to Hold Open Houses on Apex Building in Bethesda

Staff from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission will hold three open houses to provide information and receive input from the public about proposed changes to the Apex Building site and the area around the future Bethesda Purple Line station. The sessions will be held at the Bethesda Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, near the intersection of Woodmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road. Enter on the plaza level above Chipotle.

The sessions are scheduled for:

• Tuesday, September 3, 6 to 9 p.m. 
• Saturday, September 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Monday, September 9, 6 to 9 p.m.

New Public Service Announcement Highlights Dangers of Texting While Driving

Filmmaker Werner Herzog has developed a new short film to focus attention on texting while driving -- which in 2011 caused nearly 200,000 vehicle collisions. The documentary, called “From One Second to the Next” can be viewed online.

Metro to Conduct Survey on Public Hearings

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration (Metro) is asking the public to participate in an online survey to help determine which types of service changes should be preceded by a public hearing. Metro will use the results to evaluate their public hearing policy.

According to Metro, public hearings are just one of the ways in which Metro gets feedback from customers and all forms of feedback are taken into consideration when Metro contemplates service changes.

AAA Reports that Americans are Less Concerned about Dangerous Driving Behaviors Although Traffic Fatalities Increased for First Time in Seven Years

An August news release issued by AAA reported disturbing news about the public’s perception of dangerous driving behaviors. The release stated that, “Americans are less likely to perceive a serious threat from dangerous driving behaviors such as drunk, aggressive or drowsy driving, according to an analysis of four years of public surveys conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The decreased concern is accompanied by an estimated 5.3 percent increase in annual traffic fatalities, totaling more than 34,000 in 2012. This is the first annual increase in seven years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.”

The full report is available online.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick/Forest Glen to Hold Community Town Hall

The United States Army Garrison (USAG) Fort Detrick/Forest Glen is inviting the public and media to attend a community Town Hall meeting on Thursday, September 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. concerning activities on the Forest Glen installation. Discussion topics are expected to include future changes at the Linden Lane gate; impacts on the Ride On Route 4 bus; noise pollution from building 178; and other environmental issues.

After 6 p.m., visitors must access USAG through the Brookville gate.

Email or call 301-619-2018 for more information about USAG.

Celebrate Car Free Days DC on September 20 to 22

Join thousands of participants around the Washington metropolitan region on September 20 to 22 as they celebrate Car Free Days events. Pledge to go car free online on one of those days and automatically be entered for prizes and giveaways, including an Apple iPad.

On Friday, September 20, Montgomery County Commuter Services will host Car Free Day events from 6:30 to 9 a.m. at the Silver Spring, Friendship Heights, Bethesda, Grosvenor and Shady Grove Metrorail Stations.

Continue the celebration on Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. by joining Commuter Services at the FreshFarm Farmer’s Market on Ellsworth Drive between Fenton Street and Georgia Avenue in Downtown Silver Spring.

Stop by both events to receive information about alternative commute options and enter prize drawings to win a Kindle, a SmarTrip card with $200 value and other prizes.

More information is available online. (From Better Ways to Work)

SHA Begins Resurfacing Project on MD355

The State Highway Administration (SHA) has begun a $2.6 million safety and resurfacing project on MD355 (Wisconsin Avenue) between MD191 (Bradley Boulevard) and Montgomery Avenue in Bethesda. Weather permitting, work should be completed next fall.

SHA will:

• Improve drainage to help prevent standing water on the roadway; 
• Construct American with Disabilities (ADA) compliant sidewalk and sidewalk ramps and construct new curbs and gutters; and 
• Upgrade traffic signals with new mast arms, signal heads, audible pedestrian signals, and countdown pedestrian signals at the intersections of MD355 and Montgomery Avenue, Elm Street and Bethesda Avenue. 

Crews may close a single lane in both directions of MD355 weekdays, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Beginning next spring, crews may also close up to two lanes in both directions of MD355 for resurfacing overnight, Sunday through Thursday, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., weather permitting.

SHA will maintain pedestrian access within the work zone. Residents and travelers are advised that equipment used for construction can be loud and disruptive. (source: State Highway Administration press release)

Leggett Celebrates Completion of Shady Grove Access Bike Path

Bike Path Will Enhance Smart Growth Initiative Transforming the Area

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett celebrated the completion of the Shady Grove Access Bike Path that provides a safe pathway to the Shady Grove Metro Station for bicyclists and pedestrians and a connection to other area sidewalks and bikeways.

By improving access to transit, residents may be encouraged to travel by bike in conjunction with buses, Metro and walking.

The new, 10-foot bike path extends 4,700 feet from Shady Grove Road to Redland Road along the east side of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Metro Access Road. Included in the project is a bikeway ramp from the new bike path to an existing bikeway on Crabbs Branch Way. To enhance safety, a pedestrian-activated traffic signal was installed at the crossing to the Metro station.

Update on Road Maintenance Projects

Several new road maintenance projects by the Division of Highway Services are beginning in local subdivisions.

Paving projects, in which crews will resurface the local streets with hot mix asphalt:

• To begin in August, Fernwood Road in Bethesda from Rockledge Drive to Democracy Boulevard. Paving should take eight weeks to complete, weather permitting, and occur between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Bonifant Road in Colesville from Layhill Road to New Hampshire Avenue. Paving should take eight weeks to complete, weather permitting, and occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Permanent patching projects, in which crews make structural, permanent patches to the road, are a cost effective interim solution that maintains roadway structural integrity. Work for the following projects is expected to take three to four weeks, weather permitting, and occur between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday:

• Begun in July, Peach Tree Road in Barnesville from Darnestown Road to Old Hundred Road.
• Beginning in August, the entire length of Lloyd Road in Travilah from Glen Mill Road to its dead end. Work is expected to take three to four weeks, weather permitting, and occur between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Beginning in late July, the Rock Creek Manor community in Rockville.

A drainage improvement project is replacing two culverts on Log House Road in Gaithersburg between Newbury Road and Log House Court. The culvert pipes have eroded, and there is an urgent need to replace them. Approval from the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Army Corps of Engineers is required.

Work to replace the first culvert was completed this month. The second culvert will be replaced later this summer after its design is approved by the environmental agencies. During culvert replacement, the road will temporary close for about two weeks.

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.

MCDOT Installs New Sidewalk along Seven Locks Road

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering recently installed 1.25 miles of new sidewalk along Seven Locks Road. In response to a request from the president of the Montgomery Square Civic Association, MCDOT replaced a series of asphalt and dirt paths between Montrose Road and Tuckerman Lane. This project included installing ADA-compliant ramps at intersections and a new, five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk.

The sidewalk, costing about $270,000, provides a safe and convenient pedestrian connection to synagogues, churches, retail stores and other activity centers. The Division of Highway Services is also resurfacing this segment of Seven Locks Road. They will mill and patch the pavement where needed, apply a layer of hot mix asphalt, then re-stripe the road.

More information on sidewalk or roadway projects is available on the County’s website.

Construction of Century Boulevard Extension

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Division of Transportation Engineering began construction of an extension to Century Boulevard in Germantown in July. About a half-mile of road will be added from Century Boulevard’s endpoint south of Oxbridge Road to the road’s intersection with the future extension of Dorsey Mill Road. A bike path, sidewalk, retaining wall and street lighting are part of the project.

Construction will take about 15 months. Work will occur Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional Saturday work to make up for weather delays. No lane closures are expected, alternate routes for pedestrians and drivers will be provided, and side streets and driveways will remain accessible.

Road Rehabilitation Begins in Franklin Knolls

The Franklin Knolls community is the latest neighborhood to benefit from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Residential Road Rehabilitation program.

In response to County Executive Ike Leggett’s call for a more systematic approach to maintaining the County’s transportation infrastructure, MCDOT biennially assesses the condition of every County road. Franklin Knolls, located in Silver Spring just north of Takoma Park, had many streets rated very poor. The rehabilitation project will renew seven lane miles of concrete and asphalt and provides the option for residents to make concrete repairs on their property at reduced cost.

In the residential road rehabilitation program, MCDOT does not widen or alter the character of the streets and, during construction, takes special care to preserve the trees in the right-of-way. Contractors remove and replace defective curbs or sidewalks, conduct full depth pavement patching and repave the streets with hot mix asphalt.

Rehabilitation is expected to wrap up this fall. More information about the project is available on the County’s website.