Go Montgomery! August 14, 2019

Ride On Launches Family Friendly Stroller Policy   All bus operators on regular Ride On routes now allow passengers with strollers to use the bus ramp. When the priority seating area of the bus is not occupied, passengers may park a stroller there and allow the child to remain seated. Learn more.   Caring and Alert Ride On Bus Operator Helps Reunite Missing Person With His Family  Ride On bus operators are often called upon to look out for their passengers in unexpected ways. Recently, Ride On Bus Operator Owen Keys noticed an individual still sitting in the back of his bus. After speaking with the passenger, Keys thought he recognized him from a newly released description of a critically missing person. Thanks to Keys’ quick action, Police were able to get the missing individual back to his family.   Purple Line Work Continues at Silver Spring Metro and Bonifant Street   For the next four weeks, expect temporary lane closures on Bonifant Street between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. Learn more about the State’s construction activities in and around the Silver Spring Transit Center.  How Should Cars Treat Bike Lanes? When making a right turn, when is it okay for cars to move into a bike lane—and when is it dangerous? Check out this illustrated blog for the skinny on safe right turns. New Parking Rates in Two Bethesda Garages Begin in Mid-August   Beginning August 19, MCDOT will increase parking rates at the Waverly Garage (Garage 47) from $1.00 to $1.25 per hour, and decrease rates at the Metropolitan Garage(Garage 49) from $1.25 to $1.00 per hour. The new rates are intended to encourage parkers to use less crowded garages. Learn more.  Maryland Transportation Authority Seeks Public Comment on Tolling Options  With a toll modernization system coming online next year, the Maryland Transportation Authority is seeking public comment on a package of tolling options that would provide cost savings for customers. Read more.  Keep Up With the Progress on Montgomery County’s First Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line  Construction of the FLASH BRT line on US 29 is well underway. Follow the progress on Twitter with #US29Flash. County Advances Two More Bus Rapid Transit Projects to Next Stage  Two long-awaited Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects on Route 355 and Veirs Mill Road have been advanced to the next stage of engineering. Read more.  Silver Spring Is Getting The Region's First 'Protected Intersection' in Early Fall  Under construction and expected to be completed by early October, Montgomery County’s first protected intersection will be located at Spring Street and Second Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. Part of a largerSecond Avenue bike infrastructure project, the intersection is designed to better protect pedestrians and cyclists. Read more. MCDOT to Feature Transportation Services at September 5 Senior Forum and Resource Fair  Join us to learn about MCDOT’s enhanced mobility and senior services. Learn more.  Maryland Department of Transportation Reduces Speed Limits on Some Roads in Montgomery County  Here's a list of speed reduction routes in the County.  Update on MCDOT’s Crossing Project  Two new Metro entrance elevators are being constructed on the Navy Side of Rockville Pike, along with a connecting passageway from the mezzanine level to new elevators. During weekdays August 12-16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., right lane closures will occur on both the north and south bound lanes of Maryland 355 between South Drive and Woodmont Avenue. Construction has begun inside the Medical Center Metro Station. Read more.  Update on MCDOT’s White Flint Project  White Flint is getting a makeover through new construction and reconstruction of highways and arterial roads, including intersections, that will result in a more walkable, bikeable community. Utility infrastructure relocation and construction continues and is expected to be completed this summer. Read more. MCDOT Attends Commuter Information Day at Washington Adventist Hospital  MCDOT provided transit options and information to Takoma Park hospital employees who will commute to the new White Oak Medical Center opening in Silver Spring on August 25.    MCDOT Celebrates Safe and Sound Week   For MCDOT, providing a safe work environment is job one. MCDOT is proud to support Safe + Sound Week, a campaign of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Running August 12-18, Safe and Sound Week is an annual nationwide event that recognize the successes of workplace safety and health programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe.     Grammy and Emmy Winner Arturo Sandoval Headlines 16th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival Saturday, August 24   This free event features two stages of afternoon and evening entertainment. New this year, the Jazz Festival is scheduled the weekend before the Labor Day holiday to make it the County’s end-of-the-summer celebration. It will be held from 3 to 10 p.m. in Veterans Plaza located at One Veterans Place. Learn more.  Update on MCDOT’s Wheaton Revitalization Project  The project to build a new Wheaton Town Square, office building and parking garage remains on schedule for May 2020 and is currently 68% complete. Coming up: Grandview Avenue will be closed to traffic on Saturday August 24 and on Saturday, September 7. Follow live project progress by viewing the online camera. Read the most current newsletter.  August 14, 2019 Update on Residential Roadway Resurfacing and Patching Projects Beverly Farms Glen Park Layhill South Mill Creek Potomac Chase Subdivision MCDOT to Observe Labor Day Holiday, Monday, September 2  County Offices are closed Ride On – operates on a Sunday schedule Ride On Flex – closed TRiPS Commuter Store (Silver Spring) – closed TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store – closed Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free Metrorail and Metrobus – visit wmata.com MCDOT to Celebrate at MCPS Back-To-School Fair August 24  Join MCDOT in a fun kickoff to the 2019–2020 school year at Westfield Wheaton for free children’s activities, health screenings, giveaways and more.  Learn more.    Get Hands-On with County Vehicles at Clarksburg Outlet   Plan to attend the family friendly Touch-A-Truck Event on Saturday, August 17 from noon to 4 p.m. and meet employees who operate County trucks and Ride On buses. Learn more.  Attend the Montgomery County Fair  Stop by Ride On's booth for information on transit services and giveaways, August 9-17. For more information about the fair, visit mcagfair.com.  Biking Classes for Kids and Adults Coming Up in Montgomery County  Eager to try your hand at navigating traffic? What about getting on a bicycle for the first time? Check out classes offered through MCDOT’s partnership with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. Learn more.   Register by 8/23 for the September Walk & Ride Challenge Want to get or stay in shape? Teams in each of our five Transportation Management Districts that take the most steps between September 9 and September 27 are eligible for special prizes. Learn more.  MCDOT Completes Residential Street Sweeping More than 950 tons of debris was collected on over 4,055 miles of residential roads. Street sweeping keeps our storm drains from getting clogged and keeps pollution from our waterways. Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.