Go Montgomery! September 21, 2018

Ride On Begins Customer Survey to Guide Planning for Transit Services To help guide planning for transit services, Ride On is randomly distributing a short survey to passengers. The survey will continue until the end of October. Read more. MCDOT’s Reza Zarif Invited to Speak at Microsoft Envision Conference MCDOT’s Reza Zarif was invited to speak at the Microsoft Envision conference. He will be discussing how MCDOT went from a paper and physical map system that assigned, routed and tracked snow plow operations to a digital, cloud-based one using off-the-shelf products. Read more. MCDOT’s Commuter Services to Sponsor City Cycling Classes with WABA MCDOT has scheduled four Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) City Cycling classes in Montgomery County. The classes are designed to boost riders’ confidence and teach them skills for all types of situations. Read more. MCDOT Garages Get “Fall” Cleaning Now through November, MCDOT garages in Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton are getting their fall thorough scrubbings. Twice a year, garages are completely washed and cleaned from top to bottom. These seasonal cleanings are in addition to the daily routine maintenance the garages receive year-round.  Participate in the 2018 Walk & Ride Challenge  Employees in the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, North Bethesda, Greater Shady Grove and Silver Spring Transportation Management districts can now register to participate in the Walk & Ride Challenge to win prizes and get healthy. Register by September 28. Learn more.  MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Two Projects Planned for Clarksburg The public hearing on two Clarksburg projects, intersection improvements and a new bike path, scheduled for Wednesday, September 26, has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Update on Wheaton Revitalization Levels P4 and P3 of the garage are complete and work on Level P2 is about 80% complete. View on site construction activities. Read weekly progress newsletter. Construction of the elevator slabs continues.

September 21, 2018 Car Free Day is Saturday, September 22 – get free rides from the Shady Grove Metro to the Germantown Transit Center, Black Hills Regional Park and the Clarksburg Outlets.  Celebrate Community Service Day with MCDOT: Donate Bikes, Bike Parts, and Helmets to Low Income Families Don’t forget to save your bikes for MCDOT’s Community Service Day, October 26.

---

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

Go Montgomery! September 14, 2018

MCDOT to Sponsor Special Car Free Day “Shop and Play” Celebration  MCDOT will be participating in Car Free Day on Saturday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. by -- for the first time -- offering free rides on designated Ride On buses from the Shady Grove Metro Station to the Germantown Transit Center, Black Hills Regional Park and Clarksburg Premium Outlets. Riders to the Outlets will receive discounts up to 65 percent off. At Black Hills’ Regional Park, riders can enjoy discounts on boat rentals and pontoon rides and take part in Monarch Butterfly Fiesta Day. Read more. Ride On Service Changes Begin Sunday, September 16 Beginning Sunday, September 16, Ride On will make changes to 19 bus routes. New service will be added to Routes 43 (new Sunday service), 76 (new Saturday service) and 90 (new midday service). Most other changes modify current bus schedules to more accurately reflect the time it takes for a bus to run its route based on traffic and other conditions. Read details. Learn More About Bethesda Bicycle and Pedestrian Capital Improvement Projects The public is invited to join MCDOT at a meeting on Tuesday, October 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (with a presentation at 6:45 p.m.) in the Bethesda Chevy Chase High School Cafeteria, 4301 East West Highway to discuss the design and construction of proposed bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements in Downtown Bethesda. Read more. School is in Session: Be Sure You Understand Maryland Law Requiring Vehicles to Stop for School Buses As the new school year begins, be aware that Maryland Law requires drivers to stop, and remain stopped, for a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an activated stop arm. Learn more about school bus safety and share the Understanding the School Bus Law information flyer with friends and family. September is National Preparedness Month Although Hurricane Florence is no longer a significant threat to Montgomery County, now is a perfect time to get organized and re-evaluate your family’s emergency plan. Emergencies such as winter storms, fires, floods and acts of terrorism present a real challenge for all. Sign up for Alert Montgomery. MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Two Projects Planned for Clarksburg MCDOT invites the public to attend a public hearing on Wednesday, September 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. to provide comments on two proposed projects: Clarksburg Road at MD 355 intersection improvements, which will include a sidewalk and shared use path; and MD 355 Clarksburg Bike Path Project, between Stringtown Road and Snowden Farm Parkway. Read more. Provide Comments to Metro About Expanding Cash-Free Boarding on Limited-Stop Routes Metro is considering expanding use of pre-loaded SmarTrip® card-only boarding on selected, limited-stop MetroExtra routes to speed service. The public is invited to provide comments by attending a public hearing on Monday, September 17 at 7 p.m. or taking an online survey, that is open until 9 a.m., September 24. Learn more.  Bethesda Blasting for Purple Line Construction to Begin Soon (From WTOP.com) Blasting at the site of the old Apex Building at Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street is expected to begin soon as construction of the Bethesda Purple Line Station and the direct elevator connection to the Red Line platform continues. See article. Planning Department Invites Public to Kick Off Meeting for Aspen Hill Vision Zero Study The Montgomery County Planning Department invites the public to the first meeting for the Aspen Hill Vision Zero Study on September 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Aspen Hill Library. Attendees will discuss Vision Zero – a plan to reduce fatalities from traffic accidents to zero by combating distracted driving, biking and walking; the role of Montgomery Planning; and how the community can be involved with the study. Spanish translation will be available. Learn more. Planning Board Continues Discussions on the Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan On September 20, the Montgomery County Planning Board will continue its discussions on the Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan Public Hearing Draft with additional work sessions anticipated in October. Learn more by visiting the plan webpage. **Correction from previous issue of Go Montgomery** Resurfacing of Executive Boulevard will occur in spring 2019, not this fall as previously reported. September 14, 2018 Participate in the 2018 Walk & Ride Challenge  Employees in the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, North Bethesda, Greater Shady Grove and Silver Spring Transportation Management districts can now register to participate in the Walk & Ride Challenge to win prizes and get healthy.  Registerby September 28 or by September 14 to save $10. Learn more.  Vote for Your Favorite PARK(ing) Day Parklet and You Could Win a Prize  Can’t participate in PARK(ing) Day, 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.  Capital Bikeshare Begins E-bike Pilot Program Capital Bikeshare has launched a pilot project that adds about 100 electric bikes (e-bikes) to its fleet. The bikes will be distributed throughout the region with a handful possibly available at some of Montgomery County’s 83 stations. Riders can unlock the distinctive black e-bikes using their Capital Bikeshare key fob, or from the app, whether they are a current CaBi member or a casual rider purchasing a single trip or 24-hour pass. Learn more. Update on Wheaton Revitalization Work has been completed on the two deepest of the five underground garage levels, and work continues on the next one. Utility work is ongoing, including on Grandview Avenue. View on site construction activities. Read weekly progress newsletter. Construction of the elevator slabs

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