Go Montgomery! July 26, 2019

State Agrees to Evaluate Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties Alternative for I270/I495 Traffic Relief Plan That Includes Multimodal Options Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have successfully advocated for evaluation of a more complete and environmentally sensitive approach to the State’s plans for easing congestion on I-270 and I-495. The new alternative to be studied includes managed lanes, reversible lanes, active traffic management techniques, spot improvements, expansion of park & ride facilities and dedicates some toll revenues to already planned transit projects. Read more. WMATA Board Votes to Make Permanent the Elimination of Grosvenor Turnbacks   The December 17, 2018 elimination of Metrorail turnbacks at Grosvenor is now permanent thanks to a vote of the WMATA Board on July 25. The elimination increased ridership, significantly reduced train overcrowding, reduced wait times, improved station circulation, did not adversely impact Red Line on-time performance, improved service for customers at White Flint and stations north and did not cause issues with train spacing or operations.  Read more. MCDOT Parking Featured in July’s IPMI Magazine The July issue of International Parking & Mobility Institute Magazine highlights MCDOT’s use of thoughtful parking management techniques in the administration of the Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton parking lot districts. Read the full article. Ride On Flex Recently Featured in Mobility Lab News Ride On Flex, the new on-demand public transit service operating in the Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton areas, was the subject of a story about microtransit. Read the full story.    Silver Spring VanGo Circulator Gets a Starry New Look Beginning July 24, the free, hop-on, hop-off, downtown shuttle began sporting an eye-catching design based on Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting. The special look gives the MCDOT Transit-operated VanGo its own unique look. Learn more about the VanGo service. Long-term Colesville Road Lane Closures Begin Tonight As work on the Purple Line ramps up at the Silver Spring Transit Center, the right lane of southbound Colesville Road will be closed between 2nd Avenue and East-West Highway. See the Purple Line construction updates, or sign up to receive them by text or email. Temporary Traffic Changes Expected on Rockville Pike July 26 to August 4 As part of the project to construct a pedestrian underpass under MD 355 at the Medical Center Metro Station, traffic changes are planned at Woodmont Avenue and Rockville Pike. Read more. New Parking Rates in Two Bethesda Garages Take Effect in Mid-August MCDOT will modify parking rates of the Waverly Garage (Garage 47) and the Metropolitan Garage (Garage 49) on or about August 19.  These new rates will optimize occupancy and meet the customer service goals and transportation trends within the Bethesda Parking Lot District. Learn more. Update on Wheaton Revitalization The MCDOT-managed project to build a new Wheaton Town Square, office building and parking garage remains on schedule for May 30, 2020 and is currently 68% complete. View the most current newsletter and see the live onsite camera online. July 26, 2019 Update on Residential Roadway Resurfacing and Paving Projects Drew's Court Garrett Forest Subdivision Plantations Subdivision Rosemary Hills Phase II Sligo Creek Parkway Woodmoor-Indian Springs Update on Residential Concrete Projects Lakewood Estates Phase I MCDOT to Host Free e-Scooter Training in Silver Spring and Bethesda Ever wanted to try an e-scooter? If so, take a free spin on Saturday, July 27 in Silver Spring from 10 a.m. to noon or Bethesda from 1 to 3 p.m.  Learn safety tips and basic scooter laws, too. Participants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license. Read more. Montgomery County Agriculture Fair Keep your eyes out for banners on Ride On buses promoting this year's Agriculture Fair August 9 - 17. Ride Rides, play games, visit animals, craft exhibits, food and entertainment. Be sure to visit Ride On's booth for information on services and giveaways. Learn more at mcagfair.com.

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

Go Montgomery! July 16, 2019

Tried Ride On Flex to Get Around in the Glenmont, Wheaton and Rockville Areas? Ride On Flex is the Washington region’s first on-demand public transit service—and more than 1,000 Montgomery County residents have already downloaded the Ride On Flex mobile phone app. Learn more about this innovative, corner-to-corner service that costs only $2. Watch our short video and County Cable Montgomery's County Report This Week. MCDOT-Sponsored Pop Up “Traffic Garden” in Kensington Draws Families, Young Cyclists About a hundred Montgomery County families showed up for Cycling in the Circle at Warner Circle Park in Kensington to give some of our littlest residents a chance to navigate MCDOT’s first pop-up “traffic garden,” learn the rules of the road and practice safely biking and walking. Read more. Commuter Connections Recognizes MCDOT-Supported Toole Design Group for Making Commuting Easy MCDOT celebrates the accomplishments of Silver Spring-based Toole Design Group, which was honored for its outstanding commuter incentives at Commuter Connections 2nd annual Employer Recognition Awards. Montgomery County Leaders Mark July 1 End of Silver Spring Metrorail Turnbacks For more than a decade, MCDOT and Montgomery County leaders have been working to end Metrorail’s Red Line turnbacks of half of the trains at Silver Spring. Now, all peak hour morning and afternoon trains leaving Washington, D.C. travel all the way to the eastern terminus at the Glenmont station, effectively doubling service for Glenmont, Wheaton and Forest Glen residents. Read more. MCDOT Responds to Record Setting July 8 Rain Storm MCDOT crews sprang into action to reopen flooded roads, repair sinkholes, remove downed trees and deal with the aftermath of a storm that produced two to five inches of rain in just one hour. MCDOT activated its Storm Operations Center to manage crews and coordinate with the County’s Emergency Operations Center. View photos. Planned Rockville Pike Lane and Sidewalk Closures for July 12-26 A number of lane and sidewalk closures are planned over the next two weeks as part of the project to build a pedestrian underpass under Rockville Pike. Read more. Can the DC Region Make Buses a Mainstream Way People Get Around? MCDOT has introduced Ride On Flex and next year will launch the FLASH Bus Rapid Transit service on US 29. See the July 5th Mobility Lab article by Ethan Goffman about ways buses can be used to improve commutes throughout the region. Update on Wheaton Revitalization The MCDOT-managed project to build a new Wheaton Town Square, office building and parking garage is about 67 percent complete. Verizon utility work along Triangle Lane has been completed. Construction of the Penthouse roof and the interior of the office building are underway. In the underground garage, electrical, mechanical, and sprinkler installation is nearly complete and painting is ongoing. Learn more about the project and see the live onsite camera. County Executive Elrich Thanks Workers at “Topping Off” Ceremony for MCDOT’s Wheaton Office Building County Executive Marc Elrich thanked workers for reaching the Wheaton Office Building’s “topping off,” which is part of a three-year revitalization project in the Wheaton Triangle Business District. Read more. Updated Vision Zero Website Showcases Montgomery County’s Efforts to Eliminate Traffic Deaths and Reduce Serious Injuries Want to know more about the County’s efforts to reduce traffic-related deaths? An updated Vision Zero website now brings together information on the efforts of Montgomery County departments and agencies. Read more.  White Flint Project Update The White Flint project is constructing highways, arterial roads and intersections and relocating utilities to realize the vision for the White Flint District. Those plans include improved sidewalks, bikeways, trails, paths, public use space, parks and recreational facilities, mixed-use development, enhanced streetscapes and transit-oriented development around the Metro station. Construction activities anticipated for the next two weeks beginning July 14 are detailed online. County Launches 2019 Online Resident Survey Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich wants residents to know the County has launched an online survey to gauge residents’ assessment of their local government, its services and their quality of life. Residents are invited and encouraged to participate online by clicking here. This survey will be open until July 19 and can be taken in English, Spanish, or Chinese. July 16, 2019 Update on Residential Roadway Resurfacing and Paving Projects Armat Drive Subdivision Bannockburn Phase I Bannockburn Phase II Derwood Station Fairland Farms Subdivision Goshen Estates Greentree Manor Mill Run Drive Park Mill Drive Peach Orchard Drive Plantations Subdivision Springbrook Village Stoneybrook Estates Update on Residential Concrete Projects Washington Boulevard Kids Ride Free All Day, Every Day The Kids Ride Free program expanded on July 1 so that those 18 years old or younger now ride free anytime on Ride On. Starting October 1, kids will need a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card. Learn more. View the Virtual Open House and Learn More About Planning for a MD 355 Bus Rapid Transit Line Learn more and provide feedback on the study that is assessing options for a FLASHBus Rapid Transit line for MD 355. MCDOT's Mobile Commuter Store to Visit Lawn Summer Concert  on July 31 The Commuter Mobile Store will be participating at The Mansion at Strathmore's Live From the Lawn concert on Wednesday, July 31, 6 - 8 p.m. at 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Ride On Marks Customer Appreciation Day July 23 at Silver Spring Metro Look for Ride On outside Silver Spring Metro 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. July 23. Stop by the table for information and giveaways! MCDOT Dockless Vehicle Pilot Program Expansion The pilot program now includes e-bikes and e-scooters and has been expanded to include two service areas, East and West Montgomery County. Help us by taking the survey. County Offers Tips on the Heat With temperatures rising, County officials are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves against heat-related illnesses. Learn more.

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