Evening rush hour traffic from the Capital Beltway merging with I270.
Beginning in mid-June, the State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a year-long resurfacing project on a
six-mile stretch of the inner loop of the Capital Beltway, between I-270 and
the Seminary Road overpass just west of Georgia Avenue.
During the first phase of the
project, crews will work overnight, every Sunday through Thursday night, closing
one or two lanes to remove the existing asphalt starting at 9 p.m. and reopening
lanes the following morning at 5 a.m. There will be occasional overnight
closures on Friday and Saturday nights, as well.
During phase two of the project
next spring, up to three lanes may be closed overnight.
The project also will include
repairs to the Capital Beltway inner loop bridge decks over Connecticut Avenue
and Kensington Parkway, replacement of guardrails and upgrades to stormwater
management inlets and pipes.
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has awarded a contract to construct a 10-foot-wide,
shared use, hiker-biker path along Old Georgetown Road (MD 187) that will
connect with the Bethesda Trolley Trail section north of McKinley Street.
Construction will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by December
of this year.
SHA is also making improvements
at MD 187 and Cedar Lane and is installing an eight-foot trail section between Alta
Vista Road and Charles Street.
Once the Bethesda
Trolley Trail project and Cedar Lane projects are completed, there will be a
continuous trail along MD 187 from Charles Street to north of McKinley Street.
In December 2015, County Executive
Ike Leggett held a second Summit on Aging to review the accomplishments and
progress made on policies and programs since the first event was held in 2008. A goal of the summits is to focus on efforts that
allow seniors of all socioeconomic, ethnic, and diverse backgrounds to live and
thrive in the County.
Work sessions at the Summit focused
on topics of interest to seniors, including one on Transportation and Mobility
attended by MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh and senior staff. At that session, participants
identified key challenges, solutions, partnerships and priorities.
The transportation priorities identified
were:
Educate the public;
Ensure a safe travel environment for seniors;
Expand affordable options;
Increase availability of accessible transportation;
Consider safety of older drivers and those transitioning from driving; and
Increase ride-sharing and other volunteer programs.
The Summit brought together more
than 400 stakeholders from government, business, nonprofit,
advocacy, faith-based and healthcare
organizations as well as County seniors. During the morning
session, attendees heard from the
County Executive and co-chairs of the Subcabinet on Senior Vital Living.
See the full report online.
The Transportation and Mobility section begins on page 39.
Montgomery County has a
new website for older residents and their families that provides information
about driving safely and alternate transportation options that are available to
seniors who prefer to limit or stop driving. Learn more at: Explore Older Driver
Resources.
Pictured are Joe, Amy, Elena and Olivia Woitach and Bob Mallasch, with Bob’s Bikes in Poolesville, who presented the family with their new bike.
Bike to Work Day participants since
2002, the Woitach family, were thrilled to learn that they had won a free
"fold up bike" at White Flint’s Bike to Work Day this year. The
family of five, including their son Joseph, regularly bicycle along routes such
as the C&O Canal and Beach Drive. As their car rack only fits four bikes,
the fold up bike is the perfect solution for their family outings as it easily
stores in their car.
Board members work to pursue TAM's
mission to improve mobility and economic opportunity for all Maryland citizens.
They serve a two-year term.
TAM hosts numerous trainings,
events and networking opportunities for members while working to achieve
positive legislative change for transportation in Maryland.
(Source: Transportation Association
of Maryland Inc. June 2, 2016)
This month, the Division of Highway
Services will begin a project to replace four, failing, storm drain culverts.
The culverts will be replaced with larger, stronger concrete pipe culverts. The
project is expected to take about three months, weather permitting.
During construction, a portion of
Wildcat Road, between Brink Road and Davis Mill Road, will be closed to all but
local traffic. Detours will be well marked.
In June, the Division of Highway
Services (DHS) begins a six to eight-week project to repair and/or replace
curbs, gutters and sidewalks in the College View neighborhood in Kensington.
DHS will remove and replace damaged sidewalks and ensure they comply with
Americans with Disabilities Act standards; remove and replace deteriorated,
damaged and misaligned sidewalks and curbs; and restore disturbed areas with
soil, grass seed and straw mulch.
Residents are eligible to
participate in the Driveway
Apron and Lead Walk Repair Program that allows homeowners to take advantage
of the County’s competitively bid contract prices to replace these parts of
their property. Read more.
Work will occur between 7 a.m. and
6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Montgomery County Department of
Transportation’s (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering has completed a
project to extend Chapman Avenue, from Randolph Road to Old Georgetown Road,
and it is now open to traffic. The road includes five-foot sidewalks on both sides
of the street and a signed/shared bikeway on Chapman Avenue. As the White Flint area redevelops into a
more walkable/bikeable community, Chapman Avenue provides another critical
north-south link that is expected to help relieve traffic congestion on MD 355.
“We have envisioned a Smart Growth future for the White Flint area
that creates a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly community – one with a
street grid that provides easy access to residential, retail and commercial
properties,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett. “The Chapman Avenue extension
is an important element in that plan to enhance safety, relieve congestion and
provide better access.”
The road was built with future amenities in mind, such as
non-standard lighting, shared use walk and bikeways and other accommodations to
support a live, work, play community. Utilities were moved underground and
conduit installed to accommodate White Flint street lighting that will match
later development of the streetscape. Shade trees were installed as part of the
landscape treatment. Traffic signals and crosswalk improvements were made at
the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Randolph Road. Pocket parking lanes are
available for vehicles. The project also includes stormwater management
features.
The $3.3 million Chapman Avenue extension reconstructed Maple
Avenue south of Randolph Road and connected it to Chapman Avenue. The resulting
70-foot-wide roadway completes the last link in the Chapman Avenue – Citadel
Avenue roadway corridor. Construction on the project began in March 2015.
Montgomery County’s Ride On bus
service isplanning
free shuttles and other service changesduring SafeTrack -- Metro’s safety repair
blitz. To better target service enhancements, Ride On wants to know more about how
SafeTrack will affect you. Take this five-question survey.
Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Commuter Services has
scheduled two Telework webinars for June 23 and 28 to help employers quickly
set up a telework program. Telework is one option that could help commuters during
SafeTrack, Metrorail’s yearlong effort to improve reliability and safety.
Teleworking – working remotely – from one day a week to full time is one way
employers can maintain or even improve productivity.
The webinar instructor, Elham
Shirazi, has more than 30 years of experience in developing telework programs
for the private, public and non-profit sectors. Learn key implementation steps
such as developing a policy and basic procedures, selecting the right employees
and jobs, and adapting the organizational culture for employees who Telework.
Representatives from local organizations will also present summaries of their
telework programs.
Free, on-site, consulting services
are also available to help employers get started.
Get more information about the
webinars and register online.
Montgomery County
Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Al Roshdieh and MCDOT
Transportation Engineering staff will be presenters at the third Great Montgomery Bike Summit on June 18. They will join Montgomery County Councilmember
Hans Riemer, Greg Billing, executive director of WABA and Dave Anspacher,
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission transportation planner
in discussing ways to improve the bicycle experience and innovative ideas on
improving the County’s bike infrastructure.
The event begins at 9:15 a.m. with a group bike ride from the Grosvenor Metro
Station to the County Council Office Building (100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville).
Riemer will kick off the speakers and Roshdieh will speak at 10:45 a.m.
The summit is being organized
by Riemer, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and the
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
For more information,
go online or call 240-777-7964.
Participants on the group ride at the 2015 Bike Summit.
Montgomery County Department of
Transportation Director Al Roshdieh was a panel member at a regional Safe Track
event sponsored by the Greater Washington Board of Trade where he discussed
measures Montgomery County is taking to help travelers during SafeTrack –
WMATA’s yearlong repair of the Metrorail system.
Roshdieh joined representatives
from WMATA, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Alexandria,
Arlington, the District of Columbia, and Fairfax and Prince George's counties.
Montgomery County Department of Transportation Commuter Services hosted several pit stops at this year's Bike to Work Day. This fun, two-minute video recaps some of the highlights: Watch here.
MCDOT to Provide Supplemental Bus and Other Services During SafeTrack Surges
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation continues to develop plans to supplement the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) efforts to assist travelers during SafeTrack. SafeTrack is WMATA’s year-long effort to improve the safety and reliability of the Metrorail system. Three planned line segment repairs and around-the-clock single tracking projects, referred to as “Safety Surges,” will affect WMATA’s Red Line service in Montgomery County. Read more.
Capital Bikeshare to Offer Special Fares During SafeTrack
Beginning on Saturday, June 4, Capital Bikeshare will offer a Single-Trip fare that will allow travelers to take a single Capital Bikeshare ride for as low as $2 for trips under 30 minutes. Read more.
Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green Landscape Beautification Contest Deadline Extended to June 17
Join hundreds of volunteers who keep our roadways and parks free of litter by participating in the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Adopt A Road (AAR) and Adopt A Spot (AAS) programs. Read more.
SHA Resurfacing MD 119 and Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive in Gaithersburg; Will Include Off-Peak Nighttime Lane Closures
The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) this week began resurfacing the intersection of MD 119 (Great Seneca Highway) at Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive. Read more.
MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management Wins Two Awards from International Parking Institute
In addition to winning the International Parking Institute’s (IPI) Award of Excellence for its Capital Crescent Garage, MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management also won a Parking Matters® Marketing and Communications award. Read more.
Planning Department Launches Bike Stress Map; Asks for Help in Identifying Connections Not Listed
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Bicycle Master Plan team has evaluated more than 3,500 miles of roads and trails in the County to determine the amount of traffic stress that people experience when bicycling on them. Read more.
WABA to Sponsor Bike Safety Class
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is sponsoring a City Cycling bike safety class to enhance cycling confidence for those 16 and older. Read more.
June 3, 2016
Update on Highway Services Road Resurfacing and Repair Projects
MCDOT extends the life of roads by making timely repairs.Read more.
MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Musgrove Road Sidewalk on June 16
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on a proposal to construct missing sidewalk segments along Musgrove Road. Read more.
Weekend-Long Capital Beltway Double Lane Closures Begin the Evening of June 10 for Emergency Bridge Work on Outer Loop of I-495
Beginning Friday, June 10 at 9 p.m. (weather permitting), the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close two lanes on the outer loop of I-495 (Capital Beltway) from MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) to MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue). Read more.
Beginning on Saturday, June 4, Capital Bikeshare will offer a Single-Trip fare that will allow travelers to take a single Capital Bikeshare ride for as low as $2 for trips under 30 minutes. Read more.
The Rockshire Entranceway in Rockville was a participant in the Landscape Beautification competition for seven years, retiring last year receiving a Golden Trowel Award. Landscaping was maintained by the Rockshire Garden Club.
Landscapes
should emphasize environmentally sensitive plantings that eschew
non-native and invasive species, help reduce stormwater runoff, minimize water
use, provide wildlife habitat, and keep pesticides and fertilizers out of local
streams.
First Place winner for 2015 in Montgomery County BY DAY category.
The Montgomery County Department of
Transportation (MCDOT) continues to develop plans to supplement the Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) efforts to assist travelers
during SafeTrack. SafeTrack is WMATA’s year-long effort to improve the safety
and reliability of the Metrorail system. Three planned line segment repairs and
around-the-clock single tracking projects, referred to as “Safety Surges,” will
affect WMATA’s Red Line service in Montgomery County.
“Montgomery County residents and
employees are going to be significantly impacted by SafeTrack and that is why I
have directed MCDOT to take the lead in doing what we can to mitigate these
effects -- not only for Red Line riders but for all travelers in the County,”
said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. “MCDOT is closely coordinating
our response to SafeTrack with our regional partners – WMATA, the Maryland
Transit Administration (MTA), the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
and Capital Bikeshare -- through a multi-pronged approach in cooperation with
our Police and Department of General Services -- to do what we can to offer
options to our residents.”
MCDOT is coordinating with WMATA,
MTA, MDOT and Capital Bikeshare to assist travelers as they continue to work on
their service plans for later Surges. WMATA’s first Surge (Surge 6) in
Montgomery County does not begin until August 1. WMATA has committed 40 buses
to enhance service in surge areas. Responding to a request from MCDOT, MARC will
add cars to existing trains during peak periods. Capital Bikeshare will offer a
$2 one-time use option.
Throughout the Surges, MCDOT will
be monitoring conditions and making adjustments as needed, but its initial plan
is shown below:
ENHANCE RIDE ON SERVICE – INITIAL PLAN:
By keeping up to 17 recently
replaced buses in service, MCDOT will both provide additional Ride On service
on certain bus routes and free bus shuttles between affected Metrorail
stations. Ride On will provide on-street ambassadors at affected Metrorail
stations to help direct travelers to transit options.
Surge 6 - August 1 through August 7, 2016: Continuous
single tracking from the Takoma to Silver Spring stations. Ride On will provide free bus shuttles
every 10 minutes during peak travel times:
Silver
Spring to Fort Totten stations (connecting with Metro’s Green Line) with
service at Takoma Station; and
Grosvenor
to Friendship Heights stations, with stops at Medical Center and Bethesda.
Surge 7 - August 9 through August 18, 2016: Continuous
single tracking from the Twinbrook to Shady Grove stations.
Ride On will provide a free bus shuttle between the Grosvenor and Shady Grove stations via I-270 every 10 minutes during peak travel times.
Ride On will add more buses to Ride On’s Route 46 that provides service from Grosvenor to Rockville via White Flint and Twinbrook, increasing bus frequency to every 10 minutes during peak travel times. Regular fares apply.
Surge 10 - October 10 through November 1,
2016:
Total shutdown of Metrorail between NoMa-Galludet University and Fort Totten
stations.
Ride On will provide free bus shuttles every 10 minutes during peak travel times between the Silver Spring Transit Center and Fort Totten via Takoma Station along Blair Road.
Ride On’s service will supplement WMATA’s bus bridge between Fort Totten and NoMa-Galludet University Station.
PROMOTE ALTERNATIVES THROUGH COMMUTER
SERVICES
Coordinate with area employers to
use Fare Share transit and vanpool benefits and increased State tax credits to
augment promotion of alternatives to Metrorail, including vanpools, buses and
MARC train.
Promote adoption of telework by
employers by holding seminars and webinars and providing free consulting
services. “Telework Quick Start” webinars are schedule for June 23 and 28.
Promote employer-based carpooling
by facilitating match-up meetings, online enrollment, Guaranteed Ride Home
registration and incentives.
ENHANCE TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT CENTER (TMC)
OPERATIONS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW
The TMC monitors and provides
information on traffic conditions and can make traffic signal adjustments in
real time. The TMC will increase its emphasis on improving traffic flow in
corridors affected by SafeTrack Surges, facilitating signal changes and
providing enhanced response to disabled vehicles or other traffic impediments.
USE ON-STREET PARKING RESTRICTIONS AND
ENFORCEMENT AS NEEDED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW
MCDOT will focus efforts on traffic
corridors in areas affected by SafeTrack.
MCDOT extends the life of roads by
making timely repairs. Staff preserve pavement on primary and arterial roadways
by repairing concrete, patching, removing one to two inches of roadway surface
and then paving with hot mix asphalt.
Arlington
Road,
between Bradley Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road, will be resurfaced starting
this month. The project will take about five weeks to complete, weather
permitting. To minimize inconvenience to the public, work will occur between 9
a.m. and 4 p.m. and at night between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Read
more.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on a proposal to construct missing
sidewalk segments along Musgrove Road, between US29/Columbia Pike and Fairland
Road.
The hearing will be held on June 16
beginning at 7 p.m. at the HCR ManorCare Rehabilitation Facility located at
2501 Musgrove Road in Silver Spring. Parking is available in the U-shaped drive
parking lot.
Join hundreds of volunteers who keep
our roadways and parks free of litter by participating in the Montgomery County
Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Adopt A Road (AAR) and Adopt A Spot
(AAS) programs. Read
more.
Beginning Friday, June 10 at 9 p.m. (weather
permitting), the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close two lanes on the outer loop of
I-495 (Capital Beltway) from MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) to MD 185 (Connecticut
Avenue). Weather and progress permitting, all lanes should reopen no later than
5 a.m. Monday morning.
Crews will make emergency repairs
to the I-495 Bridge over Jones Mill Road/Stonybrook Drive. The bridge driving
surface is in poor condition. During the lane closures, crews will remove the
top layer of concrete on the bridge, repair the bridge expansion joints and
deck, and resurface the bridge deck with concrete. The work will improve ride
quality for drivers.
The repairs and lane closures over
the weekend will take place in two phases. Crews will first close two left
lanes on the outer loop of I-495 to begin repairs, reopen the left two lanes
once the first phase of work is complete and then close the right two lanes on
the outer loop to complete the second phase of the repairs. Equipment used for
construction may be disruptive.
All lanes necessary to complete each phase of
the repairs will remain closed until it is safe for motorists. Drivers should
plan ahead and expect delays. For the latest real-time travel information, log
onto www.md511.org or call 1-855-466-3511 using a hands-free device
