Ride On Tobytown Service Began October 2; Try it for Free in October

Ride On began a new bus service, the Route 301, on October 2 between Tobytown Drive in Potomac and the Rockville Metro Station by way of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. The service will be free during October. Standard fares will be charged starting November 1. Service will be provided seven days a week between about 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Check the schedule or get more information.  

Walk to School Day is October 5

To celebrate International Walk to School Day, County Executive Ike Leggett, County Councilmembers Sidney Katz and Craig Rice, Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith and MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh will join students, parents and community leaders as they walk to Whetstone Elementary School. Participants will meet at 8:30 a.m. at Centerway Park to start the walk and then gather at the school at 9:20 a.m. for a ceremony. Read more.

Did You Miss Parking Day? Check Out the Photos on Fickr

On September 16, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) sponsored a celebration of International PARK(ing) Day by making selected public parking spaces available to businesses and non-profits, as well as government departments and agencies. 

Check out the creative transformation of County parking spaces into fun, parklike spots on Flickr.

Highway Services Winding Up Warmer Weather Projects

MCDOT’s Division of Highway Services is completing a number of paving and concrete projects before winter. Read more.

MCDOT's Highway Services Completes Wildcat Road Culvert Replacement Project

In September, Montgomery County Department of Transportation's Highway Services finished replacing six failing culverts under Wildcat Road in Damascus and the roadway was reopened to traffic. The new concrete culverts are larger, improve water flow, solve erosion issues and improve the overall structural stability of the roadway.  Follow Highway Services on Twitter.

MCDOT Celebrated Car Free Day on September 22

MCDOT’s Commuter Services staff were busy on Car Free Day, rewarding transit users with giveaways at many locations throughout the County. See some photos on Flickr. 

MCDOT Completes Protected Bike Lane Along Nebel Street

Crews recently installed new, separated bike lanes along Nebel Street between Randolph and Marinelli roads in Rockville that feature green pavement markings. This is the second protected bike lane installed by MCDOT in Montgomery County – and more are planned. The first one in the County along Woodglen Drive was installed in December 2014 and was also the first suburban protected bike lane in the country.

Improvements to Bethesda-Elm Parking Garage Significantly Reduces Energy Use

MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management has upgraded the lighting in the Bethesda-Elm Parking Garage in Bethesda by installing LED (light emitting diode) fixtures that are reducing kilowatt usage by 32 percent.

MCDOT Expands Car Sharing Options in County Parking Garages

Photo By Robert Dyer - Bethesda Row

Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management has expanded the number of public parking spaces reserved for car sharing services to 55. Car sharing provides more transportation options for those who only need a car occasionally. Zipcar locations are in many County public parking facilities in Bethesda, Silver Spring, North Bethesda, Wheaton and Chevy Chase. The complete list is available online.

Fenton Street Village Parking Lot 3 to Close September 30

At 6 a.m. on September 30, the Fenton Street Village Lot 3, located at 8206 Fenton Street in Silver Spring, will partially close. About 70 public parking spaces will remain open under private management. A new, mixed use multi-family building with retail is planned for the site. Read more.

Record Number of Pay-By-Cell Transactions Recorded

In fiscal year 2016, a new record was set with more than 1.7 million pay-by-cell parking sessions. It’s easy to sign up – instructions are posted on 12,000 County parking meters. Or, check the details on the County’s website. 

MCDOT Awards Contract for Pedestrian Crossing and High Speed Elevators at Medical Center Metro Station in Bethesda

Photo by Andrew Bossi

Clark Construction Group was selected as the prime contractor for a BRAC-related design/build project to construct a pedestrian access route under Maryland Route 355 and high-speed elevators that link the Metrorail mezzanine at the Medical Center Station in Bethesda with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The project also includes improvements to the intersection of Rockville Pike at Jones Bridge Road. Read more.

Plans for a shallow pedestrian tunnel under Rockville Pike and bank of elevators
 to the Medical Center Metro station

SHA to Begin Final Resurfacing in October of the Rockville Pike/Cedar Lane Intersection in Bethesda; Overnight Work to Close Lanes

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration begins the final phase of roadwork for the MD 355 (Rockville Pike)/ Cedar Lane/West Cedar Lane intersection widening project in Montgomery County in early October, weather permitting. Read more. 

Public Hearing to be Held on Purple Line Environmental Impact

This handout image shows what the exterior of the Purple Line light railcars would look like. The rendering is based on the railcars used in Houston. (Courtesy Maryland Transit Administration)

On October 16, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on the potential environmental impact of the proposed Bethesda-New Carrollton Purple Line. Read more.

State Highway Administration to Upgrade Traffic Signal in Bethesda to Ease Congestion

On Tuesday, October 4, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration will activate an upgraded traffic signal at the MD 355 (Rockville Pike) / Jones Bridge Road intersection in Montgomery County. The signal will provide double-left turns from southbound MD 355 to eastbound Jones Bridge Road during the afternoon weekday rush hour only (between 3 and 6 p.m.). Read more.

Montgomery County Receives $244,000 to Encourage Safe Driving

According to a recent article in the Baltimore Sun by Colin Campbell, the Montgomery County Police Department received $235,000 and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office received $9,000 in federal grants to encourage safe driving. This follows a report that roadway deaths in Maryland increased by 17 percent in 2015.

TPB Releases New App to Aid Finding a Carpool

(Photo provided by Lyft)

CarpoolNow is a new, free app that matches drivers and riders through their smartphones in the way that ride-hailing companies locate a driver. Commuter Connections, a Transportation Planning Board program focused on promoting travel modes other than driving alone, developed the app as another way for commuters to find carpool partners. Read more. 

Planning Department Invites Public to Enter Bicycle Master Plan Photo Contest; Apply by October 7

Winners will receive gift cards and their photos will become part of the Bicycle Master Plan or other Planning Department documents

The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, invites the public to enter its Bicycle Master Plan Photo Contest by October 7. Read more.

Jewish Council on the Aging Wins National Award for Street Smart Tired Faces Senior Focused Pedestrian Safety Campaign; MCDOT a Partner

The Jewish Council on the Aging (JCA) received bronze level recognition for its Senior Focused Pedestrian Safety campaign from the National Mature Media Awards. The Montgomery County departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services and Public Information Office were partners in the campaign. Read more.

Highway Services Continues Road Paving/Patching Projects on Brink Road and in the Northwood Park Community

MCDOT’s Division of Highway Services has begun repaving of Brink Road between Woodfield Road (MD 124) and Wightman Road and will start a full depth patching project in the Northwood Park community in Silver Spring at the end of September. Read more.

Montgomery County to Offer Community Emergency Preparedness Classes in September to Residents

The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) is offering three “Community Emergency Preparedness” classes in September to residents of Montgomery County. These classes, developed in collaboration and partnership with the Montgomery County Police Department and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, will enable families to prepare for disasters at home and respond to specific hazards such as fires, active assailants, medical emergencies, bomb threats and severe weather events. Read more.

Leggett Seeks Applicants for Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee

County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill three public member vacancies on the Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. One incumbent is eligible to apply for reappointment. The Committee advises the County Executive, County Council, and elected officials on pedestrian and bicycle safety. Applications are due September 30. Apply online.

Wash Downs of County Parking Garages in Progress

Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management has begun its semi-annual thorough washing and degreasing of all County-owned parking garages that will continue through November. 

Take a Virtual Ride on Ride On by Watching Route Videos

Check out Ride On's route videos on its YouTube page and enjoy a virtual ride. Follow along as a bus travels a particular route from starting point to final destination and see exactly where it goes and what it serves, including schools, libraries, shopping centers and neighborhoods. Read more.

MCDOT Invites the Public to Celebrate PARK(ing) Day on September 16

On September 16, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is sponsoring 
International PARK(ing) Day by making selected public parking spaces available to businesses and non-profits, as well as government departments and agencies to be creatively transformed into fun, parklike spots.  MCDOT invites the public to celebrate PARK(ing) Day by visiting these reimagined parking spaces between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in Silver Spring, Bethesda, Wheaton and Takoma Park. Read more.

Capital Bikeshare Celebrates Installation of 400th Station

On August 23, the participating Capital Bikeshare jurisdictions (Maryland’s Montgomery County, the District of Columbia, and Virginia’s Arlington County and City of Alexandria) celebrated the installation of the 400th station in the Capital Bikeshare system. This milestone installation occurred on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the region’s bike sharing system launch. Read more.

Serpentine Way in Silver Spring Closed for Emergency Repairs

 

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has closed Serpentine Way between Fairland and Randolph roads for emergency repairs to two culverts located under the road. The recent rains have exacerbated erosion problems, making continued use of the road an immediate safety hazard. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.

Dan Hibbert is New Chief of the Division of Transit Services

MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh announced that Daniel Hibbert has been selected to be the new Division Chief for Transit Services beginning September 18. Transit Services operates the County’s Ride On bus system, the second largest in the Washington metropolitan area. Read more.

On September 28, MDOT and MCDOT to Hold Public Meeting on MD 586/Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit Study

A public meeting is planned for Wednesday, September 28 to provide information and gather public comment on the evaluation of alternatives for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service between Wheaton and Rockville. Read more.

Ride On Service Change to Begin Sunday, September 18

Beginning September 18, Ride On will make schedule or routing changes to 19 bus routes. Most of the changes involve only minor time adjustments so that bus schedules more closely match actual travel times in traffic. Read more.

Four Simple Rules When Approaching a Stopped School Bus

Montgomery County Police are aggressively enforcing traffic laws that require drivers to stop for school buses. Check these diagrams and simple rules to avoid getting a ticket. Read more.

MCDOT's Efforts to Help Travelers During SafeTrack Surges 6 and 7 a Success

The assistance that the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) was able to provide to travelers substantially helped to mitigate the impacts of Metro’s SafeTrack surges 6 and 7. Weeks of planning paid off as staff put in place a comprehensive effort to boost Metrorail alternatives and encourage passengers to use them. Read more.