Go Montgomery! February 28, 2020

Public Can Still Provide Comments Until March 2 on WMATA's Proposed Fare/Service Plans The public has until March 2 at 5 p.m. to take a survey and/or provide comments to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) on its proposed budget that includes some reductions in service in Montgomery County. View a summary of the proposed Metrorail and Metrobus service and fare changes in WMATA's budget brochure (available in six languages). Learn more at www.wmata.com/budget. Public Invited to Town Hall Meeting on Proposed Metro Fare/Service Changes March 2 The town hall, hosted by Montgomery County Council's Transportation and Environment Committee,  will begin at 7 p.m. at the Planning Commission Building, located at 8787 Spring Street in Silver Spring.  RSVPing is encouraged but not required. Learn more.  MCDOT to Present Revised Ride On Bus Change Options Around the US 29 Corridor at March 3 Public Workshop Based on pubic feedback received in January about planned modifications to Ride On bus service along the US 29 (Colesville Rd/ Columbia Pike) corridor, Ride On has re-evaluated the originally proposed changes and postponed any final restructuring until fall 2020. Learn more. Temporary Weekend ICC/MD 200 Closures Montgomery County drivers who use the Intercounty Connector (MD 200) could be affected by this weekend's closure as the Maryland Transit Authority upgrades hardware and software of all toll facilities. Beginning 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 through 5 a.m. Monday, March 2, westbound traffic will be detoured at I-95. Various detours will continue into April. To sign up for email and text alerts or view real-time traffic cameras for I-95, ICC/MD 200 or the Bay Bridge, visit mdta.maryland.gov. MCDOT and Silver Spring Urban District Invites Public to a Listening Session on the Fiscal Health and Parking Rates in the Silver Spring Parking Lot District (PLD) on March 4 Learn more about the current fiscal health of the PLD and provide feedback, suggestions and submit recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget. The listening session will begin at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Silver Spring's Civic Center. Read more. MCDOT Invites Public to Learn More About Permits Required for Residential EV Charging Stations at March 4 Workshop MCDOT and the Department of Permitting Services will hold a public meeting at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, beginning at 7 p.m., to brief the community on and receive feedback about the new Residential EV (Electric Vehicle) Charging Permit guidelines that require homeowners to obtain an electrical permit prior to the installation of a residential EV charging station under certain conditions.  Read more. Ride On to Participate in Age-Friendly Montgomery Public Forum March 18 Ride On staff will participate in the Age-Friendly Montgomery Public Forum, to be held at Bohrer Park Activity Center in Gaithersburg from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. County Executive Marc Elrich will be the keynote speaker on the topic, "What Can Racial Equity Look Like in an Age-Friendly Community?” Learn more. Learn More About MCDOT's Ride On Real Time Web Application The Ride On real time mobile app on the Google and Apple Play Stores are being deactivated this month and will no longer have accurate real time information. Click here for information on how to load the new web application information source onto your smartphone (rideon.app/locationquery), where you can get the most up-to-date information, such as where is my bus, departure times, find a stop, plan my trip, etc. If you have any questions or issues using the new web-based Ride On Real Time app, contact MC311, email Ride On customer service or send a message on Ride On's social media platforms, Facebook and Twitter. Artist Applications to Create Garage Mural for “Paint the Town” Project Due April 6 Calling all artists interested in submitting and executing mural ideas for the exterior of MCDOT's public parking garage 35 in downtown Bethesda, to bring more public art murals to the County’s urban districts. Learn more. Keep Current on Purple Line Construction Stay up-to-date on construction activities by subscribing to inbox updates or texts in English or Spanish. A list of active construction activities—filterable by work zones—can be found at www.purplelinemd.com/construction/construction-updates. County Executive Talks About 2020 Priorities and Budget on Montgomery Al Día County Executive Marc Elrich was a guest on Montgomery Al Día February 18, the County’s Spanish-language radio show on Radio América 900 AM. He discussed his 2020 priorities, the fiscal year 2021 budget, the Maryland legislative session, Census 2020, pedestrian safety and more. Watch the interview here. Elrich to Host Online Chat March 12 Join Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich online chat  from 1 to 2 p.m. or submit a question in advance. 2020 Census Arriving in Households in March Expect the 2020 Census invitation in your mailbox soon and be sure to respond by mail, phone or online by April 1 (Census Day). Every 10 years, the federal government conducts a population count of everyone in the United States and it is vitally important that all participate so that Montgomery County gets its fair share of funding to support programs such as highway and transportation projects that benefit County residents.  Learn more at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/census. Maryland's MVA Celebrated Issuing Three Million REAL IDs REAL ID will be required for those who plan to fly after October 1. County residents who still need to get their Real ID can make an online appointment with their local Motor Vehicle Administration office, get guidance on what documents are needed and watch video tutorials that explain the process. Learn more at www.mva.maryland.gov/realid/index.htm. February 28, 2020 Work With Us! MCDOT is Hiring Go to MCG Careers to learn more about: Taxicab Code Enforcement Inspector Traffic Sign and Marking Supervisor Parking Mgmt Public Service Craftsworker Transit Bus Operator Traffic Systems Technician ACCEPTING VENDORS: MCDOT Safety Day May 2 Safety Day will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Rockville. We are still looking for vendors to participate, contact Duwan Morris for more information. MCDOT Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Making a Difference Throughout the County It’s been a busy winter for MCDOT’s SRTS program as it reaches out to educate kids across the County on pedestrian and bicycle safety. Nine SRTS events are planned for March and early April in an effort to teach kids the skills they need to be safe walkers and cyclists. MCDOT Celebrates 'Bike to Work Day' May 15: Registration Opens March 1 MCDOT will join this year’s regionwide “Bike to Work Day” celebration on Friday, May 15. The first 20,000 people to register and participate will receive a free T-shirt, refreshments and entry into a raffle for a new bicycle. Six pit stops will be hosted by MCDOT. Learn more Update on the Wheaton Revitalization Project The project is currently 91 percent complete and on schedule for substantial completion by the end of May. Learn more about the project online at www.wheatonproject.com. SAVE THE DATE: MCDOT Sponsors Adult Learn to Ride and Confident City Cycling Classes May 2 and June 6 MCDOT and WABA have partnered to offer classes – a bilingual one for those who have never ridden a bike before or have not been on a bike in some time and another for those who want to acquire the skills to ride safely and confidently on streets, bike lanes and trails alike. Learn more. **SUBSCRIBE HERE** To receive MCDOT’s latest news releases in your inbox!

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

Go Montgomery! February 13, 2020

TONIGHT: MCDOT Invites Public to Provide Input on Bikeway and Road Projects Off Crabbs Branch Way  Beginning at 7 p.m., MCDOT will hold a public meeting to brief the community on and receive feedback about two bikeway projects in Rockville: the Washington Grove Connector and the Crabbs Branch Way Extension. Read more.  Temporary Weekend Closures Planned on ICC This Weekend Montgomery County drivers who plan to use the Intercounty Connector (ICC/MD 200) will be affected by an upcoming closure of the ICC, scheduled for February 14 to 17, as the Maryland Transit Authority upgrades toll facilities. Learn more. Metro Red Line Service Closed Between Glenmont and Takoma This Weekend   WMATA is shutting down Red Line Metro service between Glenmont and Takoma stations from Saturday, February 15 through Monday, February 17. Free shuttle bus service will be available between these two stations. More information is available at wmata.com or call 202-637-7000. For information on future track work visit wmata.com/trackwork.  MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing for Proposed Farmland Sidewalk MCDOT invites the public to attend a public hearing on February 19 at 7 p.m. to provide comments concerning the proposed construction of a sidewalk that would provide residents with disabilities, pedestrians and bicyclists safer travel options to schools and nearby public attractions or facilities. Learn more. MCDOT to Present Revised Options for Ride On Bus Changes for US 29 at March 3 Public Workshop Based on pubic feedback received in January about planned modifications to Ride On bus service along the US 29 (Colesville Rd/ Columbia Pike) corridor, Ride On has re-evaluated the originally proposed changes and postponed any final restructuring until fall 2020. Learn more. MCDOT Director Chris Conklin Moderated Planning Department’s Big Ideas Session on “Multimodal Transportation and a Healthy Economy” On February 11, Conklin moderated a panel of experts who discussed ways to ensure that streets become economically competitive places that move people, not just corridors for moving automobiles. Watch the session on demand. Artist Applications to Create Garage Mural for “Paint the Town” Project Due April 6 Calling all artists interested in submitting and executing mural ideas for the exterior of MCDOT's public parking garage 35, located at 8216 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The project aims to bring more public art murals to our urban districts. Read more and view the application. MCDOT's Executive Connector in Rockville   Do you work on Executive Boulevard or East Jefferson Street between Old Georgetown and Montrose Roads? Ride On is making it even easier to get there from Metrorail via the Ride On Executive Connector. Combining three routes – the 5, 26 and 81 – with specially timed service to get you where you want to go quickly and easily.  For more information visit www.rideonbus.com.  MCPS Reviewing Bus Stops After Serious Crashes Involving Students By Caitlynn Peetz, Bethesda Beat, January 23, 2020 Following two pedestrian crashes at or near school bus stops in December, Montgomery County Public Schools officials are reviewing the locations of all stops. Read more. This App Pays You for Commuting. Here's What Happened When I Used It. By Jon Steingart, Greater Greater Washington, January 21, 2020 For the last few months, I’ve been getting paid to commute to work. Read more. Public Invited to Montgomery Planning’s Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group Meeting Community members are invited to participate in a short public comment period at the end of Montgomery Planning's first Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group meeting on February 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Learn more. Elrich to Host Online Chat March 12  Join Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich for an online chat from 1 to 2 p.m. or submit a question in advance.  Montgomery County Small Business Assistance Program Distributed More Than $1 Million to Help Wheaton Businesses During Construction of New Government Office Building The Small Business Assistance Program was created to provide aid during the three-year Wheaton Revitalization project, reaching a milestone by distributing $1,022,287 to 23 small businesses. The Wheaton project will be completed this spring.  Learn more. Traffic Safety Group Ranks D.C., MD, VA Efforts to Prevent Deadly Crashes By Kristi King, January 23, 2020, WTOP At a news conference, the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released its annual report evaluating progress being made by 50 states and D.C. in implementing 16 laws related to child passenger safety, teen drivers, impaired and distracted drivers, motorcycle helmet requirement and primary enforcement of front and rear seat belt laws. Read more Bill Aims to Make MD Roads Safer for Pedestrians By Kate Ryan, January 23, 2020, WTOP One of the bills getting support from a group of Maryland lawmakers in Annapolis would increase minimum fines for traffic offenses involving pedestrians. Read more. February 13, 2020 **SUBSCRIBE HERE** To receive MCDOT’s latest news releases in your inbox! Transportation-Related Schedule Changes for February 17 County Offices - Closed; Ride On - Modified holiday schedule; Ride On Flex - Closed; Metrorail/Metrobus - Visit www.wmata.com; Silver Spring Commuter Store - 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Mobile Commuter Store – Closed; County Parking - Free. View more schedule changes. Work With Us! MCDOT is hiring for the following positions: Division of Parking General Maintenance I, Grade 15 Program Manager for Traffic Signing and Marking Shop, Grade 25 Transit Bus Operator, Grade 15 Parking Management Capital Projects Manager, Grade 28 Transportation Systems Technician I/II/III, Grade 14/18/20 Go to MCG Careers to learn more.  MCDOT Promotes Safety at Richard Montgomery High School MCDOT's Safe Routes to School staff visited students during their lunch period to talk about the importance of driving, cycling and pedestrian safety, and distributed safety tips and reflective gear. Potholes? MCDOT Makes Repairs Year Round With frequent freeze and thaw cycles, it’s wise to be on the lookout for potholes. If you see one, it’s easy to report its location so MCDOT can make repairs. Read more. MCDOT Wears Red for Heart Health Awareness On Friday, February 7, MCDOT staff wore red to show their support for women’s heart health and raise awareness on National Wear Red Day. This Year’s GreenFest to be Held April 19 Plan to attend this year’s GreenFest at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton – and be sure to visit MCDOT’s booth to learn about the department’s green initiatives. Learn more at montgomerycountygreenfest.org SAVE THE DATE: MCDOT to Host Safety Day May 2 Safety Day features fun for the whole family with food, games, vendors, giveaways, bike raffles, safety education and a visit from Zeal, MCDOT's pedestrian safety zebra. Stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the parking lot of 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Learn more. Update on the Wheaton Revitalization Project The project is currently 90 percent complete and on-schedule for substantial completion by the end of May. www.wheatonproject.com.

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