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.