MCDOT's Latest Transportation Newsletter "Go Montgomery" is Now Available! August 27, 2020

 

MCDOT's Neighborhood Greenways Aim to Make Local Roads More Friendly for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Four local streets in Montgomery County will be transformed into more friendly roadways for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-vehicular users, as MCDOT unveils the newest “Shared Streets” in a program that encourages roads to be shared by vehicles and other users. Shared Streets “Temporary Neighborhood Greenways” limit vehicular traffic to local traffic only, providing access to residents, service providers and deliveries. Learn more. Montgomery County to Permit More Businesses to Reopen Under Updated Phase 2 COVID-19 Guidelines Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, after consultation with County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles and based on data from contact tracing, has issued an updated executive order that allows additional openings. Learn more. State to Hold Virtual and In-Person Hearings on I-495/I-270 Managed Lane Study The public has three more opportunities in September to testify about the feasibility of adding tolled lanes to portions of I-495 and I-270. On September 3, State and Federal agencies will jointly hold a virtual public hearing and on September 1 and 10, will hold in-person hearings. Learn more. MCDOT Works With COVID Corps Youth Employees “COVID Corps” is a summer employment program for residents ages 16 to 23 that provides them with opportunities to support the County’s COVID-19 response. MCDOT’s COVID Corps is helping monitor MCDOT's e-scooter pilot program in Silver Spring and providing transportation program information to commuters. The County’s COVID Corps was recently featured on the PBS Newshour and Local DVM. Learn more. Metro Increases Bus and Rail Service Metrorail has begun operating near pre-pandemic service on four of its six rail lines. Buses are operating as early as 4 a.m. and ending as late as midnight, with schedules varying by route. Learn more. Regional transit service is also ramping up. Learn more. Public Invited to Comment on Proposed Changes to Ellsworth Drive MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing on September 14 concerning the proposed abandonment of two sections of Ellsworth Drive in downtown Silver Spring. The abandonment would allow the revitalization, expansion and upgrading of public use spaces and amenities and restrict non-essential vehicular traffic. Registration online is required. Artist Selected for Bethesda's 'Paint the Town' Contest Through a partnership between MCDOT, the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Bethesda Urban Partnership has selected an artist, Megan Lewis, to paint a transportation themed mural on the exterior of MCDOT's Woodmont Public Parking Garage in downtown Bethesda. The “Paint the Town” contest was designed to bring more public art murals to the urban district. Read the Bethesda Beat August 20 article. MCDOT Schedules Semi-Annual Fall Cleaning of County Parking Garages MCDOT’S Division of Parking Management will soon begin its semi-annual interior washdown and degreasing of all 21 County-owned parking garages in Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton. The washings will occur on nights and weekends between September and November. Child Passenger Safety Week is September 20 to 26 Be sure your child is protected by the correct car seat for their age, height and weight. Parents can find more information on how to determine if their child is in the right seat by visiting NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat. Get expert safety tips on how to choose and use a car seat with Safe Kids Worldwide's Ultimate Car Seat Guide at safekids.org/ultimate-car-seat-guide. Expect Lane Closures on Clarksburg Road During WSSC Water Main Work  A contractor for WSSC is installing a force main and water line that will require periodic lane closures between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. until October 23. Expect closures on southbound Clarksburg Road, between Frederick Road (MD 355) and Little Sierra Court, and the northbound and southbound lanes at 23360 Clarksburg Road Work. For more information, contact Jonathan Goodwin at 301-524-6726 or email jgoodwin@cormanconstruction.com. SHA Begins River Road Work to Improve Safety Through spring 2021, drivers may encounter traffic delays on River Road (MD 190) as the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration constructs a $1.9 million roadway safety improvement project between Braeburn Parkway and Pyle Road in Bethesda. Expect temporary single-lane closures on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and multiple-lane closures overnight from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Learn more. Tree Montgomery Provides Free Trees The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is looking for places to plant shade trees, including in the yards of single-family homes, around parking lots and in multi-family communities. Know of a densely-developed area, a spot lacking in trees or a location needing shade? DEP will plant the trees and provide maintenance guidance —all for free! Learn more at treemontgomery.org. Lighting Upgrades Completed at 48 Metrorail Stations Metrorail riders should notice new, brighter lights at 48 underground stations that improve visibility and enhance safety and security while reducing energy costs. Learn more. Employers Asked to Participate in Reopening Survey A regional partnership is asking employers across the Capital Region to take a brief survey about their reopening plans. The information is needed to facilitate the safe and sustainable return to worksites. Take the survey by August 28 at how.ly/25Nv30r5eWj. Police Step Up Traffic Safety Enforcement on ICC/MD 200 From June 5 to 7, the mdta.maryland.gov (MDTA) responded to community concerns about speeding and aggressive driving on the ICC/MD 200 by making 119 traffic stops and issuing a combined 153 traffic citations, warnings and safety equipment repair orders. To report aggressive or dangerous driving on Maryland toll roads, call 410-537-7911. Exelon Is Creating an EV Charging Network in Maryland Exelon’s Maryland utilities (BGE, Pepco and Delmarva Power) are creating an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network that will eventually include 850 chargers. One charging station has been installed at Thomas Farm Community Center at 700 Fallsgrove Drive in Rockville. Find more locations at ow.ly/vR6J30r5bmP. FOLLOW RIDE ON @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Ride On MCT on Facebook, or visit RideOnBus.com. August 27, 2020 Follow MCDOT on Twitter at twitter.com/MCDOTNow, subscribe to MCDOT NEWS releases and/or visit montgomerycountymd.gov.dot. Transportation-Related Holiday Schedule for Labor Day County Offices – Closed. Ride On – Sunday schedule. Metrorail/Metrobus – www.wmata.com. TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center –  Open. Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – Free. Celebrate Car Free Day on September 22 Car Free Day is a worldwide event that encourages traveling in ways that are greener than driving alone. Commuter Connections hosts Car Free Day in the DC region to raise awareness about the benefits of using options such as transit, bicycling, walking, scooters, telework, trains, and “car-lite” options such as carpooling and vanpooling. Learn more.  September is National Preparedness Month National Preparedness Month is an annual event that encourages Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools and communities. What can you do? Check these preparedness tips and sign up for Alert Montgomery. It's Been Almost a Year Since MCDOT Installed the Region's First 'Protected Intersection' in Silver Spring Montgomery County's first protected intersection was installed last October at Spring Street and Second Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. Part of a larger Second Avenue bike infrastructure project, the intersection is designed to better protect pedestrians and cyclists and meet Vision Zero goals to help eliminate severe and fatal collisions. MCDOT Cares for County Trees Trees growing in a County right of way are owned and maintained by MCDOT. MCDOT's arborists prune and care for these trees and plant new ones. See a street tree in need of attention? Contact MCDOT's Division of Highway Services. E-Bikes Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions A new study shows that just a 15 percent shift to electric bicycles would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 12 percent. Take advantage of MCDOT's Bikeshare for commuting and running errands to help our environment. Bikeshare makes the first mile/last mile of a commute much easier. To view the Bikeshare station map visit ow.ly/bht730qKQEv. Volunteers Needed Want to help your neighbors during this difficult time? Learn about volunteer opportunities, including those for non-medical volunteers, through the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. Register if you're an organization that needs volunteers, and get useful guidance. Attention MARC Train Commuters Have you had a chance to check out the new MARC train tracker app? Marctracker.com provides real-time train locations. Download the app at mta.maryland.gov/transit. For transportation updates Visit MCDOT's COVID-19 website at montgomerycountymd.gov /DOT/covid19.html. If you have issues in your neighborhood such as a downed tree, sidewalk damage, streetlight or sign damage, pot hole or overgrown foliage blocking signs, call 311 or report it online at montgomerycountymd.gov/311.

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