Go Montgomery: August 2018

MCDOT is Sponsoring a PARK(ing) Day Contest: Vote for Your Favorite Space and You Could Win a Gift Card

It’s not too late to sign up to participate in International PARK(ing) Day on September 21 in Bethesda or Silver Spring. Participants have until September 12 to sign up. Can’t participate, but plan to check out the fun “parks?” Choose your favorite park by going online and voting. You will automatically be entered into a random drawing for a $25 gift card. Get more information about entering the contest at any of the PARK(ing) Day parks. Read more.

MCDOT Begins Installing Traffic Signals with Backplate Retroreflective Borders

MCDOT recently installed the first County traffic signals with backplate retroreflective borders at the intersection of Darnestown and Glen Mill roads. The use of retroreflective borders will be the standard for all reconstructed and new traffic signals owned and installed by Montgomery County. The borders improve safety by enhancing the visibility of the signal in both daytime and nighttime. Read more.

MCDOT Division of Parking Survey Shows High Overall Satisfaction with County’s Parking Facilities

Parking permit holders and visitors to County-owned garages, lots and on-street parking spaces in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton were surveyed to find out what they thought of the County’s parking facilities. They received an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5. Read entire report.

MCDOT Planning More Bicycle Infrastructure in White Flint

This fall, MCDOT will be resurfacing Executive Boulevard and will use the opportunity to install one-way, separated bike lanes from Woodglen Drive to Nicholson Lane. The new five-foot-wide lanes will be located along the curb and include a two-to-three-foot striped buffer as well as vertical posts. On street parking will continue to be available and will be located seven feet from the face of the curb.

Leggett Seeks Applicants for Silver Spring Transportation Management District Advisory Committee

County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill six vacancies on the Silver Spring Transportation Management District Advisory Committee representing three large (50 or more employees) and three small businesses from the Silver Spring central business district. Apply online by September 10.

Learn More About the Region’s Transportation Plans by Participating in Visualize 2045

Visualize 2045 is the federally required, long-range transportation plan for the National Capital Region. It identifies all regionally significant transportation investments planned through 2045 plus those not yet funded. Learn more about the draft plan at an open house sponsored by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board on September 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Upcounty Government Services Center.

Falling Creek Road Closed for Emergency Repairs

During a routine inspection, MCDOT found that a 72-inch, corrugated metal storm drain pipe under Falling Creek Road in Silver Spring needed immediate replacement. The pipe carries water from the Paint Branch tributary. MCDOT will replace the failed pipe section, which will require the closure of a portion of Falling Creek Drive for an extended period of time. A detour route has been established.

Upcoming Roadway Project Planned

MCDOT will be replacing several asphalt bus pads with new concrete ones along Lost Knife Road between Odendhal and Montgomery Village avenues. Read more.

Planning Board to Consider MCDOT Plans for Goldsboro Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements

MCDOT has proposed pedestrian and bicycle improvements along a one-mile segment of Bethesda's Goldsboro Road, from River Road to MacArthur Boulevard. The proposal includes an expanded roadway with two, 11-foot-wide travel lanes; six-foot-wide cycle tracks in each direction; three-foot-wide, striped buffers with flex posts; and a concrete sidewalk. Read more .

What Roadways and Sidewalks Can Bike Riders Use?

By Maryland law, bicycles are vehicles, and bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Bicyclists can ride in the travel lanes of any roadway where the posted maximum speed limit is less than 50 miles an hour. Bicyclists are also allowed to ride in the shoulder of State roads – roads in Montgomery County that are numbered. Read more.

August 27, 2018

Celebrate Community Service Day with MCDOT: Donate Bikes, Bike Parts, and Helmets to Low Income Families

Have a bike that’s no longer needed? On Friday, October 26, MCDOT will once again sponsor a bike collection during this year’s Community Service Week celebration. Donate bicycles, bicycle parts, and/or helmets. Last year, more than 100 bikes were donated. Read more.

Takoma Park News Features MCDOT’s Call-N-Ride Program

Sam Oji, MCDOT’s chief of enhanced mobility and senior services section in the Division of Transit Services, was interviewed about MCDOT’s Call-n-Ride Program in the August Takoma Park Newsletter. The program increases transportation options for low-income residents 65 or older and for those with disabilities. Read more on Page 9: Getting Around Town by Helen Lyons.

Wheaton Revitalization News

Level P4 (the lowest level) of the parking garage is now complete and work has begun on Level P3. Follow project progress in real time through an onsite camera and read the details in a weekly Wheaton Revitalization newsletter.

Level P3 Pour #3(August 20, 2018)

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

MCDOT Makes Emergency Repairs to Reopen Roads

Record rains resulted in the failure of culverts underneath Father Hurley Boulevard and Game Preserve Road. MCDOT responded to the emergencies and has now reopened both roads. Pictured are repairs in progress at Game Preserve Road. See additional photos online.

Construction Begins to Replace Park Valley Road Bridge in Silver Spring

MCDOT began construction in July to replace the 1931-vintage Park Valley Road Bridge over Sligo Creek with a wider bridge and sidewalk. The project also includes the realignment of a portion of the Sligo Creek Trail to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access and safety. Read more.

MCDOT Seeks Proposals to Redevelop Site of Public Parking Garage in Bethesda

MCDOT is seeking proposals from qualified teams to redevelop Public Parking Garage 47 in the Bethesda Parking Lot District, located at the intersection of Montgomery Avenue and Waverly Street. Read more or view the details of the Request for Development Proposals Solicitation.

Reminder: Ride On to Hold Public Forum on Proposed New Services on Wednesday, August 8

The public is invited to attend a forum in Germantown and provide input on the following enhancements proposed for Ride On bus routes:

New Sunday service on the Route
43
New Saturday service on the
Route 76
New midday service on the Route
90

Celebrate Car Free Day on September 21, 22 and 23

Car Free Day is a worldwide event that encourages greener methods of travel to get around other than driving alone by car. Start looking for ways you can go Car Free and take the pledge to be eligible to win prizes.

Passenger Praises Ride On extRa

A Ride On customer recently sent this email about the Ride On extRa, Route 101:

“I wanted to send some praise to everyone in your department for the wonderful Ride On Express 101 Route. I used it for the first time a couple of weeks ago after taking my car in for a recall. Since I have my own car, I rarely use the bus, but I found everything about this service to be wonderful. The information screens at the stations were great, the buses were on time, and drivers friendly. The route got me exactly where I needed to be when I needed to be there and back again. Please keep up the great work!”

New Ride On User Guide Now Available

Ride On has a new, handy user guide with information on fares, tracking your bus, trip-planning resources, SmarTrip Cards®, accessibility, transfers and more. Printable brochures are available online.

County Council Approves Master Plan of Highways and Transitways

The County Council unanimously approved the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways on July 24. The update provides a comprehensive summary of all significant existing and planned highway and transitway facilities within the County. Read more or view the plan.

Friendship Heights Bus Bays Above the Metro Station to be Temporarily Relocated

Beginning August 5, the Friendship Heights bus bays at 2 Wisconsin Circle above the Metro Station were relocated along area streets during a renovation by Chevy Chase Land Company of the second floor above the Friendship Heights bus loop. The construction is expected to take about two months. For more information call 301-654-2690.

County Executive Leggett Seeking Applicants for Silver Spring Transportation Management District Advisory Committee

There are six vacancies on the Silver Spring Transportation Management District Advisory Committee for representatives from three large and three small businesses located in the Silver Spring Central Business District. Read more and apply by August 13.

August 8, 2018

Highway Services Continues Seasonal Infrastructure Improvement Projects

Become a Capital Bikeshare Bike Angel

Capital Bikeshare has begun a new program that allows riders who improve the availability of bikes and docks to earn rewards. Learn more.

Bethesda Circulator is a Free and Easy Way to Get Around in Downtown Bethesda

The free Bethesda Circulator bus makes a loop around downtown Bethesda, stopping next to the Bethesda Metro station, County parking lots and garages and more. There’s even a bike rack on the bus. Go online to see the Circulator route and schedule and to download the free mobile app for iPhone and Android.

Don't Drown, Turn Around

With all the heavy rain we've gotten, flooded roads are not uncommon. Montgomery County’s Fire & Rescue Service urges drivers not to attempt to drive through or across a flooded road, as it only takes about four inches of swift water to move a car. Be safe. Turn around. Take another, safer route.

Wheaton Revitalization Update

Progress continues on major concrete pours for the garage and walls. Follow project progress in real time through an onsite camera. See weekly newsletter.