Go Montgomery - June 12, 2015

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YOLO Campaign Wins National Awards The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) “YOLO (You Only Live Once) High School Pedestrian Safety Education Program” has won national recognition from two organizations: A 2015 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award in the category of Civic Education and Public Information; and first place in the Promotional Campaigns under $100,000 category, as well as best in show from the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards. Read More. Parking Lot Pedestrian Safety Program Wins National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award A program to reduce pedestrian collisions in parking lots also won a 2015 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award in the category of Civic Education and Public Information. 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 County launched an innovative education campaign aimed at drivers and pedestrians in parking lots.  Read more. MCDOT Submits Four Grant Applications that could Significantly Expand Bikeshare, Transit The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) recently submitted four grant applications to the U.S. Department ofTransportation (USDOT), the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Transportation Planning Board that could expand and improve alternative transportation options in the County, including increasing Bikeshare Stations by 50 percent. Read more. Roshdieh, MCDOT Staff Discussed Department's Accomplishments at Second 'Great Montgomery Bike Summit' Montgomery County Department of Transportation Acting Director Al Roshdieh and Unit Manager Aruna Miller presented information on the department's efforts and accomplishments in promoting biking and building bicycle infrastructure at the second “Great Montgomery Bike Summit” on June 6. The summit was organized by Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Montgomery Bicycle Advocates and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.. Read more. Montgomery Council to Hold Public Hearings on Bills Related to Special Capital Projects, Including Two Transportation Projects The Montgomery County Council will hold public hearings at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, on four expedited bills regarding special capital improvements projects, two of which are transportation projects. Read more. Ride On Offers Summer Savings on Youth Fares Montgomery County youth ages 5 to 18 can take unlimited Ride On trips this summer by purchasing a Youth Summer Pass from Montgomery County Ride On. The summer pass costs $18 and is valid from June 1 through August 31.  Another option is the Youth Monthly pass which provides unlimited trips on Ride On for just $11 a calendar month. Both passes provide a significant savings over regular fares. Read more. County Executive’s Transit Task Force to Host Public Forum The Montgomery County Executive’s Transit Task Force will host a public forum on Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. in the County Council’s Third Floor Hearing Room, 100 Maryland Ave.,Rockville, so residents can express their views on subjects before the Transit Task Force.  The Transit Task Force has been reconvened to review the prior legislation and recommend how best to organize and finance implementation of a high-performance bus rapid transit system. The system is contained in the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan, which was approved by County Council in late 2013. Read more. Metro Debuts New 7000 Rail Car Series on Red Line The second 7000 series #newtrain made its first round trip on the Red Line June 8. Check out WMATA’s video. Road Patching and Resurfacing Projects Underway MCDOT’s Division of Highway Services continues its efforts to improve the County’s road infrastructure in Burtonsville, Damascus, Dickerson, Mt. Airy and Gaithersburg.   Read more. MCDOT Begins New, Online Parking Permit System for Residential Neighborhoods The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has begun a new, online residential parking permit program that eliminates the need for paper permits, makes the process of getting a permit faster and easier, and instantly provides permits for new vehicles and visitors. The new system will be phased in as each Residential Permit Parking (RPP) area becomes eligible for renewal. Read more.

June 12, 2015 MCDOT in the Spotlight... Dan Sheridan is an outstanding employee of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering. He is the assistant section chief in the Design Section and has been with MCDOT for 14 years. Read more. MARC and Commuter Bus Fares to Increase June 25 Beginning June 25, the Maryland Transit Administration will increase MARC train fares by $1 and commuter bus fares will rise from 25 cents to $1.25, based on the distance traveled. Read more  Citizen Advisory Boards to Host Capital Improvements Program Budget Forums in June and July Individuals and groups are invited to provide input into the County’s next six-year capital construction budget by attending public forums that will be held in June and July by local citizen advisory boards. The forums will help define construction and planning priorities for the various regions in the County as officials begin developing the Fiscal Years 2017 to 2022 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget. Read more.

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

Go Montgomery - June 19, 2015

WMATA Finance Committee Approves End of Metrorail Turnbacks at Grosvenor Station The Finance and Administration Committee of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) voted to end turnbacks at the Grosvernor Metrorail Station beginning in summer 2018. Currently during the peak period, only half of the Red Line trains from the District of Columbia continue to the line’s end at Shady Grove. The other half of the cars turn around at Grosvenor. For more than 10 years, ending the turnbacks at Grosvenor has been a transit priority for Montgomery County. The action will become final if approved at the WMATA Board Meeting on June 25. Read more. Less Than Two Weeks Left for Low Income Residents to Sign Up for Free Bikeshare Membership; County First in Nation to Use JARC Grant for Bikeshare Low income residents who meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to sign up for a free year of Capital Bikeshare membership that also includes free bike safety training, a helmet and route planning services. The deadline is June 30.  Read more. WMATA Invites Input at Public Hearing on Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 14 to present the environmental evaluation and proposal to lease, operate and maintain the new Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center. The meeting will be held at the Langley Park Community Center, 1500 Merrimac Drive, Hyattsville, and will begin with an open house starting at 6 p.m. followed by the hearing starting at 6:30 p.m. Read more. Leggett and Roshdieh Celebrated Public-Private Partnership at Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony in Bethesda;Former Parking Lots Now Residential Units, Retail and County Parking Garage On June 18, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and MCDOT Acting Director Al Roshdieh helped StonebridgeCarras and PN Hoffman celebrate the opening of their condominium and apartment buildings on the County’s former parking lots 31 and 31A in Bethesda. Read more. MCDOT’s Commuter Services Celebrated National Dump the Pump Day with Events at Three Metrorail Stations MCDOT’s Commuter Services celebrated the 10th Annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 18 by greeting transit users and providing information and giveaways at the Silver Spring, Friendship Heights and Shady Grove Metrorail stations. Read more. Learn More about Free and Discounted Bus and Taxi Options for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities The County has a variety of transportation options to help older adults and persons with disabilities get to where they want to go. A new education campaign is trying to raise awareness of these free and discounted bus and taxi services. Options include: Free Ride On service midday on weekdays; Senior SmarTrip cards; Metro Access for medical appointments or other types of trips; Call ‘N’ Ride taxi discounts; and Senior Connection, a service that uses volunteer drivers. More information is available on the County’s website. For questions or more information on MCDOT email mcdot.outreach@montgomerycountymd.gov June 19, 2015 Update on MCDOT Highway Services Repaving Projects The Resurfacing Program protects and maintains the County’s roughly 1,000 lane miles of main roads and 4,000 lane miles of neighborhood roads. Highway Services repairs, resurfaces, patches and/or revitalizes road surfaces, sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Learn more about the latest repaving projects in your area - Click here.. MCDOT Offers Homeowners Opportunity to have Driveway Apron and Lead Walk Replaced When Highway Services is in a neighborhood to repair sidewalks and curbs, MCDOT gives homeowners the opportunity to use the County’s competitively bid contract prices to repair their driveway aprons and lead sidewalks.Read more.

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

Learn More about Free and Discounted Bus and Taxi Options for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

The County has a variety of transportation options to help older adults and persons with disabilities get to where they want to go. A new education campaign is trying to raise awareness of these free and discounted bus and taxi services.

Options include: Free Ride On service midday on weekdays; Senior SmarTrip cards; Metro Access for medical appointments or other types of trips; Call ‘N’ Ride taxi discounts; and Senior Connection, a service that uses volunteer drivers.

More information is available on the County’s website.

WMATA Finance Committee Approves End of Metrorail Turnbacks at Grosvenor Station

The Finance and Administration Committee of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) voted to end turnbacks at the Grosvernor Metrorail Station beginning in summer 2018. Currently during the peak period, only half of the Red Line trains from the District of Columbia continue to the line’s end at Shady Grove. The other half of the cars turn around at Grosvenor. For more than 10 years, ending the turnbacks at Grosvenor has been a transit priority for Montgomery County. The action will become final if approved at the WMATA Board Meeting on June 25.

The Finance and Administration Committee recommended to the WMATA Board that it approve the purchase of new 7000 series rail cars, which will allow 28 cars to be used to end the turnbacks at Grosvenor station.

Again this year in the County’s FY2015-2020 Consolidated Transportation Program priorities, the County identified as its priorities the need for funding to operate eight-car trains, eliminate the Red Line turnbacks at Grosvenor and Silver Spring and expand the existing station platform circulation capacity to accommodate existing and projected riders. To accommodate the eight-car trains, the Finance and Administration Committee also recommended approval of power upgrades on the Red Line that will begin in 2021.

In April, Montgomery County Department of Transportation Acting Director Al Roshdieh sent a letter to Maryland Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary James Ports urging the State’s support for elimination of the turnbacks. In the letter, Roshdieh stated, “New rail car investments should be directed to first eliminate the Red Line turnbacks at Grosvenor and then followed by the elimination of the turnbacks at Silver Spring. The western leg of the Red Line is a vital component of the economic development strategy along the MD 355 and I-270 corridor and will support significant levels of both employment and population growth.” 

Update on MCDOT Highway Services Repaving Projects

Nighttime resurfacing of Shady Grove Road, from the ICC/I-370 ramp to Frederick Road (MD 355), will begin in July and take about six weeks to complete, weather permitting. MCDOT will remove and replace distressed pavement areas and repave with hot mix asphalt. Work hours will be 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday to minimize travel disruptions. If necessary, some work may be done on Saturday nights, as well.

Resurfacing of Democracy Boulevard, between I-270 and Old Georgetown Road (MD 187), will also begin in July and is expected to take about six weeks to complete, weather permitting. MCDOT will remove and replace distressed pavement areas and repave with hot mix asphalt. Work hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday. If necessary, some work may be done on Saturday nights.

To extend the life of the pavement, Highway Services will apply a micro surfacing material to Riffle Ford Road, from Darnestown Road (MD 28) to Germantown Road (MD 118), Germantown this summer. The project will take six to eight weeks to complete, weather permitting. Work hours will be between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Full-depth, permanent patching projects using hot mix asphalt are planned for the Paint Branch Farms neighborhood in Silver Spring and Dickerson School Road, Dickerson. The work will begin in June and both projects are expected to take about three weeks to complete. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some paving may occur on Saturdays, if required.

Roadway resurfacing with full depth patching and hot mix asphalt will begin in July in the Kingswell neighborhood in Silver Spring. The project will take eight to 10 weeks to complete, weather permitting. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some paving may occur on Saturdays, if required.

In July, the MCDOT Division of Highway Services will repair sidewalks and/or curbs in the Carroll Knolls and the Stoneybrook Estates neighborhoods in Silver Spring. Work is expected to take eight weeks to complete and work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

MCDOT Offers Homeowners Opportunity to have Driveway Apron and Lead Walk Replaced

When Highway Services is in a neighborhood to repair sidewalks and curbs, MCDOT gives homeowners the opportunity to use the County’s competitively bid contract prices to repair their driveway aprons and lead sidewalks. When MCDOT begins work, a County inspector will evaluate the condition of homeowners' driveways and sidewalks. If they need replacement, the inspector will leave instructions at the resident's door about opting into the program. More information is available online.

Less Than Two Weeks Left for Low Income Residents to Sign Up for Free Bikeshare Membership; County First in Nation to Use JARC Grant for Bikeshare

Low income residents who meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to sign up for a free year of Capital Bikeshare membership that also includes free bike safety training, a helmet and route planning services. The deadline is June 30.  

To encourage residents to sign up for the "JARC" - Job Access Reverse Commute program, MCDOT’s Commuter Services has been working with non-profit organizations and agencies that serve the low income community, including Manna Food Center, Housing Opportunities Commission, Health and Human Services, Montgomery Works and Montgomery College. The grant-funded JARC program requires qualified individuals to sign up by the end of the month. Montgomery County was the first community in the nation to use JARC funding for Bikeshare.

Those who currently receive assistance through any Montgomery County social services organizations - or who may qualify through other low income criteria - should contact Commuter Services by calling (240) 777-8380 or emailing mcdot.CommuterServices@montgomerycountymd.gov for a registration form. Or, fill out the online registration form. 

Businesses and other organizations are also encouraged to contact Commuter Services if they have interested employees or clients.

More information about Bikeshare and CommuterServices is available online.

WMATA Invites Input at Public Hearing on Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 14 to present the environmental evaluation and proposal to lease, operate and maintain the new Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center. The meeting will be held at the Langley Park Community Center, 1500 Merrimac Drive, Hyattsville, and will begin with an open house starting at 6 p.m. followed by the hearing starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is constructing a new local and regional bus transit center at the Takoma Langley Crossroads, located on the northeast corner of New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650) and University Boulevard (MD 193). WMATA is proposing to lease the transit center from MTA, assume responsibility for its operations and maintenance and relocate several bus stops in the vicinity to the transit center.

The Langley Park Community Center is wheelchair accessible. Any individual who requires special assistance, such as a sign language interpreter or additional accommodation to participate in the public hearing, or who requires these materials in an alternate format, should contact Danise Peña at 202-962-2511 or TTY: 202-962-2033 as soon as possible. For language assistance, such as an interpreter or information in another language, please call 202-962-2582 at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing date.

The Langley Park community Center is accessible by Metrobus lines C2, C4, F8, J4, K6 and K9.

More information is available on WMATA’swebsite. 

Leggett and Roshdieh Celebrated Public-Private Partnership at Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony in Bethesda; Former Parking Lots Now Residential Units, Retail and County Parking Garage

On June 18, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and MCDOT Acting Director Al Roshdieh helped StonebridgeCarras and PN Hoffman celebrate the opening of their condominium and apartment buildings on the County’s former parking lots 31 and 31A in Bethesda. The partnership between the County and the developers more than tripled the number of public parking spaces available on the site by building an underground parking garage under 250 residential units and ground level retail space. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) was the lead County agency for the project.

Joining them at the event were Montgomery County Council President George Leventhal, PN Hoffman CEO Monty Hoffman, StonebridgeCarras and Principal Doug Firstenberg.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and MCDOT Action Director Al Roshdieh joined PN Hoffman CEO Monty Hoffman, StonebridgeCarras Principal Doug Firstenberg and others at the opening of their condominium and apartment buildings on the County's former parking lots 31 and 31A in Bethesda.

MCDOT’s Commuter Services Celebrated National Dump the Pump Day with Events at Three Metrorail Stations

MCDOT’s Commuter Services celebrated the 10th Annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 18 by greeting transit users and providing information and giveaways at the Silver Spring, Friendship Heights and Shady Grove Metrorail stations. Transit systems across the country held events encouraging people to take public transportation and save money. The national celebration is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

Riding public transit can be an economical way to travel, particularly when gas prices are high. The latest APTA Transit Savings Report shows that a two person household that downsizes to one car can save – on the average – more than $9,569 a year.

Check online for more information about Commuter Services and their efforts to encourage residents and employees to consider alternative transportation.

MCDOT Begins New, Online Parking Permit System for Residential Neighborhoods

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has begun a new, online residential parking permit program that eliminates the need for paper permits, makes the process of getting a permit faster and easier, and instantly provides permits for new vehicles and visitors. The new system will be phased in as each Residential Permit Parking (RPP) area becomes eligible for renewal.

“Improving customer service is a priority of my administration, and this is another way that we can use technology to enhance and simplify permit parking in residential neighborhoods,” said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. “I’m proud that MCDOT is continually looking for ways to be innovative that increase efficiency and cost effectiveness.”

Currently, RPP permits cost $40 and are renewable every two years. The permits are placed inside a vehicle to show that the driver is allowed to park in the permitted zone. Under the new program, residents will renew their permit annually at a cost of $20 each. No paper permits will be issued. Instead, license plate readers will determine if a vehicle has permission to park in the RPP area. If a resident purchases a new car or has a visitor, they can go online, enter the license plate number, and the car will immediately be recognized. By applying online, residents will get a nearly instant confirmation of their digital permit.

“MCDOT is using technology whenever we can to make things easier and more convenient for our customers,” said MCDOT Acting Director Al Roshdieh. “Our Division of Parking Management is a leader in innovative practices -- not only regionally, but throughout the nation. From pay-by-cell parking; to solar-powered, smart parking meters; to electric vehicle charging stations in garages, the Division of Parking Management is at the forefront.”

As each residential permit area is phased into the new system, residents will be notified about the availability of the online system. For those who prefer to renew or purchase permits by phone, they will be able to call 855-510-3995 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Additional information on the RPP system is available online. 

YOLO Campaign Wins National Awards

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) “YOLO (You Only Live Once) High School Pedestrian Safety Education Program” has won national recognition from two organizations: A 2015 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award in the category of Civic Education and Public Information; and first place in the Promotional Campaigns under $100,000 category, as well as best in show from the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards. 

Read more about the NACo award here and the NAGC awards here. 

Read more on Montgomery County's YOLO campaign.

Other news:

*Mymcmedia.org - County Pedestrian Safety Campaign Wins National Award

*Germantown Pulse 6.10.2015 YOLO Pedestrian Safety Campaign Wins National Awards

MCDOT IN THE SPOTLIGHT…

Dan Sheridan is an outstanding employee of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering. He is the assistant section chief in the Design Section and has been with MCDOT for 14 years. He leads the “In-House Design” unit, manages White Flint projects and leads MCDOT design and construction project coordination with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). 

Dan was involved in an innovative project to build the first Dedicated but Unmaintained County road. Together with his colleague Rebecca Park, they led the design and reconstruction of Fawsett Road. This successful, two-year project was recently completed and involved extensive neighborhood collaboration – and resulted in a highly satisfied community. 

Dan led design efforts for the first roads to be built in the White Flint redevelopment area. He also coordinated with the Maryland Stadium Authority to have the roads included in the contract for the construction of the new parking garage at the Montgomery County Conference Center. Work should begin in the next few months.

For the Sligo Park Hills Low Impact Development stormwater management improvements program, Dan collaborated with DEP during rehabilitation of the neighborhood’s streets, curbs and sidewalks by MCDOT’s Division of Highway Services to manage the construction of 127 state-of-the-art stormwater improvements.  MCDOT constructed projects to filter rainwater and improve stream quality, including rain gardens, bioswales, tree boxes, bioretention gardens and permeable pavers in the public right-of-way. Again, the community has been very pleased with the results.

MCDOT is fortunate to have such a hard-working, dedicated employee as Dan. As a lifelong Montgomery County resident, he is committed to making the County a better place to live. 

MARC and Commuter Bus Fares to Increase June 25

Beginning June 25, the Maryland Transit Administration will increase MARC train fares by $1 and commuter bus fares will rise from 25 cents to $1.25, based on the distance traveled. Read more 

Montgomery Council to Hold Public Hearings on Bills Related to Special Capital Projects, Including Two Transportation Projects

The Montgomery County Council will hold public hearings at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, on four expedited bills regarding special capital improvements projects, two of which are transportation projects:

• Expedited Bill 28-15 would authorize the planning, design and construction of the Snouffer School
   Road. It is Project No. 501109 in the Montgomery Village/Airpark Policy Area.

• Expedited Bill 29-15 would authorize the planning, design and construction of the Metropolitan
   Branch Trail. It is Project No. 501110 in the Silver Spring Central Business District Policy Area.

Read more.