Go Montgomery! Transportation-Related News - September 25, 2020

 

MCDOT Ride On to Reinstate Real Time Bus Information and Improve Schedules this Sunday Starting September 27, Ride On will provide more frequent service on 26 routes that have increased demand and eliminate some Saturday and Sunday service that was in place in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. These changes will bring service to nearly 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Read the press release, available in English or Spanish. MCDOT Rolls Out First Ride On Electric Buses County Executive Marc Elrich and other local officials unveiled the County’s first four electric Ride On buses at the David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center on September 3. Each of the 35-foot buses produce zero emissions during operations and also contribute to reducing noise pollution through their noticeably quiet operation. Learn more. More Electric Bus News: Watch the press event and virtual remarks marking the occasion. WUSA9 article. Bethesda Beat article LocalDVM article MCDOT's Wheaton Revitalization Project Completed On Time and On Budget MCDOT successfully delivered a new downtown Wheaton center that is one of the largest projects of its kind ever built by the County. The Wheaton Revitalization project includes a 14-story office building designed to LEED Platinum standards; a new Town Square; underground parking; street level retail and pedestrian safety improvements Read the special edition newsletter.   MCDOT’s Full Service Mobile Commuter Store Reopens with New Safety Protocols MCDOT's TRiPS, full-service, Mobile Commuter Store, a 38-foot Winnebago that travels around the County to various locations, has reopened. At the store, add value to or purchase regular and Senior SmarTrip cards, the Ride On Youth Cruiser Pass, other Ride On passes and MARC commuter rail passes. You also can also register and get key fobs for Capital Bikeshare and obtain transportation information, schedules and maps. Learn more about how staff are protecting customers. Want to see the Mobile Store at a location near you? Submit your suggestion online at ow.ly/PvNf30rb4Tc. Deadline Extended to October 16 for Public Input on I-495/I-270 Managed Lane Study  County Executive Marc Elrich encourages residents to testify at the last in-person hearing in October to provide comment on the feasibility of adding tolled lanes to portions of I-495 and I-270. For those who do comment, be sure to send a copy of testimony or comments to the County Executive or County Council. Learn more. MCDOT to Participate in Walkinar for Walktober Join us for Maryland's first ever WALKTOBER, a month where the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other partnering agencies will promote and host events and webinars spotlighting Maryland pedestrians' safety, health, and commuting options in current walk programs and initiatives throughout October. The free webinars -or "Walkinars"- highlight how we can collectively rally around walking, an activity that is both central to the state's Active Transportation efforts and a critical component promoting public well-being. MCDOT's Sandra Brecher, Section Chief of Commuter Services, will represent the County on a Walkinar scheduled for October 29. Register for the Walkinars here. Throughout Walktober learn about: The ease and accessibility of walking as exercise How to safely use pedestrian infrastructures How to incorporate walking in your daily routine within the provisions of social distancing and other restrictions. Mark your calendar for Walk Maryland Day on October 7.  Learn more at mdot.maryland.gov/walktober. MCDOT’s Highway Services Win Honorable Mention from Public Technology Institute for Snow IQ System MCDOT's Division of Highway Services was awarded the 2020 Public Technology Institute (PTI) Solutions Award Honorable Mention for outstanding use of technology to improve services during the winter. MCDOT’s Snow IQ provides storm clean-up information to the public and staff in real-time. Learn more. MCDOT Director Chris Conklin Discusses Department Actions Taken During the COVID-19 Health Crisis at WTS’s Virtual Meeting On September 10, members of the Women Transportation Seminar (WTS) DC Chapter held an online Coffee Chat with Conklin and Strategic Innovations Manager Hannah Henn to discuss how MCDOT is responding to the COVID-19 health crisis. Read the WTS article for more details. BUP Completes 'Paint the Town' Mural on MCDOT Garage A new outdoor mural on the Woodmont - Rugby Garage is livening up downtown Bethesda. Sponsored by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, the contest was held in conjunction with MCDOT. Read BUP's press release. More Woodmont Mural News: Bethesda Patch article.  Bethesda Magazine article. Upcoming MCDOT Public Hearings and Meetings in September Residents will have an opportunity to present virtual oral and/or written comments about the following projects: September 29: Grove Street Neighborhood Greenway plans to improve  bicycle and pedestrian safety in downtown Silver Spring between Sligo Avenue and Bonifant Street. September 30: North High Street Extension Facility Planning Study weights conceptual alternatives for a roadway extension of North High Street to Morningwood Drive in Olney that include improvements to pedestrian and bicyclist safety and enhanced connections.  September 30: Childs Street and Rainbow Drive proposed sidewalk in Silver Spring. Metro Service Cuts and Schedule Changes Coming Metro will consider shorter hours, potential service cuts, schedule changes and other cost-cutting measures to balance its budget if Federal CARES Act Funding runs out. Read Metro's press release. MCDOT to Provide Update on White Flint Project October 8 Join MCDOT in an online community meeting on October 8 to hear an update on the Western Workaround project in White Flint. To register for this online meeting visit cutt.ly/FOWF-Meeting. Virtual Meeting on I-270 Transit Plan to be Held Later This Month Montgomery Planning is considering potential transit opportunities that could serve the I-270 Corridor. The plan will take a strategic look at prioritizing travel options based on the County’s economic, environmental and community needs, and create a roadmap detailing the major steps to realize the highest-priority project(s). The virtual kick-off meeting is September 30 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more at montgomeryplanning.org/corridorforward. Metro Riders Can Now Use Their Apple Devices to Pay for Rail and Bus  SmarTrip® — the way to pay for Metro and all regional transit providers in the Washington, DC area  — is launching on iPhone and Apple Watch, giving riders new and unparalleled convenience. Riders can simply hold their device near the card reader to pay, rather than a physical card, anywhere SmarTrip is accepted, including rail, bus, and regional partners. Pay for Ride On once fares are reinstated too. For more information, visit wmata.com/fares/Mobile. MDOT SHA Begins Lane Extension Project on  I-270 in Montgomery County The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) started work on a $2.7 million improvement project on southbound I-270 (Eisenhower Highway) between MD 121 (Clarksburg Road) and MD 109 (Old Hundred Road) in Montgomery County.  Learn more. View the Project Portal for a list of all MDOT SHA projects. For real-time traffic conditions on Maryland roadways, visit md511.maryland.gov​.  Two Visualize 2045 Initiatives Reach a Milestone Two initiatives were recently approved, the National Capital Trail Network and the Transit Access Focus Areas, that will create a network of bike trails that connect throughout the region and to make it easier to bike and walk to transit. Visualize 2045 is the federally mandated, long-range transportation plan for the National Capital Region that is developed by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board. Learn more at Visualize2045.org.   Downtown Silver Spring Retail and Restaurant Customers Asked to Take Survey Take a survey by Streetsense and the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation to describe your retail and restaurant customer experience in downtown Silver Spring. The survey will be used to develop a new initiative to assist independently owned restaurants and retail establishments adapt to new public health requirements and changing consumer spending habits in light of COVID-19. Greater Washington Partnership Releases Results from Regional Transit Tracker and Return to Work Survey The Greater Washington Partnership has created a new tool to help transit riders make decisions about how to safely use public transportation during the COVID-19 health crisis. The Capital COVID-19 Transit Tracker helps riders find the safest time to ride public transportation. Findings from a newly-released Capital COVID Snapshot will help employers and public agencies collaboratively reopen the Capital Region's economy safely, gradually and sustainably. Article on Flash Bus by Dan Reed, Greater Greater Washington, September 16, 2020 A recent article in Greater Greater Washington took a look at the new FLASH April Lane station and discussed the benefits of the 14-mile, transit line that will run along Route 29 (Colesville Road and Columbia Pike) from the Silver Spring Metro station to Burtonsville, making 11 stops along the way. Read full article. Upcoming Rockville Pike (MD 355) Partial Road and Sidewalk Closures Through October 9 The northbound right lane of Rockville Pike (MD 355) between Tuckerman Lane and Strathmore Avenue (MD 547) will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the adjacent sidewalk will be closed continuously until October 9. Learn more. Fill Out Your Census Form by Sept. 30 to Help Montgomery County Montgomery County could lose out on $4.6 billion in federal funding over the next 10 years for schools, hospitals, roads and social services. It is vitally important that everyone participate by September 30. Learn more at montgomerycountymd.gov/census or respond now.  September 25, 2020 Follow MCDOT on Twitter at twitter.com/MCDOTNow, subscribe to MCDOT NEWS releases and/or visit montgomerycountymd.gov.dot. MCDOT Partners with the Recreation Department to Bring Bike Safety to Youth  Join us this Saturday, September 26 at Germantown or Wheaton for Back to School Bike Tours, a bicycle education program that teaches biking basics, rules of the road, proper helmet fitting, and how to communicate with hand signals. Those attending will receive a free helmet. Learn more. Read the Sept. 26 LocalDVM article. Child Passenger Safety Week September 20-26 Every day in America, millions of parents and caregivers travel with children in their vehicles. While some children are buckled in properly in the correct car seats for their ages and sizes, many are not, if they are buckled up at all. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half (46%) of car seats are misused. NHTSA’s Child Passenger Safety Week, is a campaign dedicated to helping parents and caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible — every trip, every time. Learn more and visit nhtsa.gov/right-seat. MCDOT Celebrated CAR FREE DAY To thank those taking transit, MCDOT staff greeted riders between 7 and 9 a.m. at the Friendship Heights Metro Station, Bethesda Metro Plaza, Silver Spring Transit Center, Shady Grove Metro, and the Germantown and Lake Forest transit centers. They passed out free hand sanitizer, face coverings, transit information and a chance to win a $200 SmarTrip Card or Capital Bikeshare annual membership. Car Free Day is a worldwide event that encourages traveling in ways that are greener than driving alone. It’s not too late to take the pledge at CarFreeMetroDC.org. Montgomery Parks Continues Open Parkways Program The Open Parkways initiative includes 2.6 miles of Sligo Creek Parkway,1.3 miles of Little Falls Parkway and 2.7 miles of Beach Drive. Little Falls Parkway will be open on weekends from 7 a.m. Saturday mornings to 6 p.m Sunday evenings. Sligo Creek Parkway and Beach Drive will be open from 9 a.m., Friday mornings to 6 p.m. Sunday evenings.  Regional Surveys Explore COVID-19 Impact on Telework and Commuting Commuter Connections, a program of the National Capital Region's Transportation Planning Board surveyed employers about teleworking at their organizations, including questions about the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on telework. Learn more. Bird Offers Free Electric Scooter Rides to Teachers this Month The new Free Rides for Teachers program offers teachers up to two free 30-minute rides per day and is valid until Sept. 30. Teachers can experience a clean, traffic-free and socially distanced way to get around, whether they’re commuting to class or picking up supplies for online learning.   Bird also offers free scooter rides to medical and emergency personnel.  Capital Bikeshare Celebrated 10 Year Anniversary Yesterday On September 20, Capital Bikeshare celebrated its 10th birthday. Since 2010, it’s grown from 1,200 to more than 26,000 members, and they’ve taken 27 million trips, totaling 150 million miles. Read the Greater Greater Washington's article by Caitlin Rogger. Residents Must Wear Masks Do your part! Help slow the spread of #COVID19 by wearing a mask in public especially when riding public transportation (such as Ride On, Metro and ride sharing), and when visiting the Trips Mobile Commuter Store or the Commuter Store in the Silver Spring Transit Center. A properly-fitted mask should cover your nose, mouth, and chin, and is secured to your head. View Montgomery County's face covering guidance. Visit MCDOT Wheaton Revitalization and Shared Streets for Art Pyramids Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the traditional one-day Wheaton Arts Parade celebration has become a two-week event, that started Sept. 20. With art installations placed around the downtown area, including the front of the new Wheaton building and on MCDOT's Shared Street, so visitors can experience the works of local artists day or night. For more information and to view art presentations visit wheatonartsparade.org. AAA Tells Drivers Not to Hang Masks From Rear-view Mirror AAA East Central wants to remind drivers that hanging items from a rear-view mirror, including protective masks, is a safety hazard. This has the potential to partially block the drivers field of vision, putting them and others in harm’s way. Read the September 18 LocalDVM article. To report down trees, sidewalk, streetlight or sign damage, pot holes or other issues call 311 or report it online at  montgomerycountymd.gov/ 311. For transportation updates visit MCDOT's COVID-19 website at montgomerycountymd.gov /DOT/covid19.html.

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

Special Edition of Go Montgomery! The Wheaton Revitalization Project: Delivered On Time and On Budget

"The Wheaton Redevelopment was a complex undertaking that required significant efforts by many, and we are happy that MCDOT successfully led this project to provide an active and vibrant new center for people who live and work in Wheaton. We appreciate the patience of the community throughout the construction project and are excited that this milestone has been reached with occupants moving into the building." -MCDOT Director Chris Conklin MCDOT Delivers Innovative Wheaton Revitalization Project The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) led the development and construction of the new Wheaton Revitalization Project – one of the largest projects of its kind ever built by the County. Construction of the project took 39 months and cost about $179 million. The building, which included environmentally-responsible design and construction, is now occupied, and outdoor spaces are open to the public. Read more. Officials Hold Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Wheaton Revitalization Project As M-NCPPC, the first occupant and building owner of Wheaton’s newest office building, began moving in, County officials celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony that observed distancing guidelines. Read more. *Watch the video and see interior and exterior footage of the project on the day of the ribbon cutting. Park-like Plaza Now Open to the Public The new Marian Fryer Town Plaza, which was constructed as a part of the project, is now open to the public and will be featured as the kickoff location for the Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival planned for September 20. Learn more about the event plans for this weekend.  More About The Project Learn More About the Wheaton Project's Features and Who Were Involved The Wheaton Revitalization Project provides a 14 -story, Class “A,” 308,000-square-foot government office building designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum (the highest) certification standards; a 397-space below ground parking garage; a new Town Square; and ground level retail space. Learn more about the office building’s environmental features, the Town Square/Plaza that will provide a downtown gathering space to enhance both daytime and nighttime activities and the project team here. Revitalization Project Brings More Transformation to Wheaton  The Wheaton Revitalization Project is yet another milestone in the ongoing process to invest in Wheaton and promote economic and community vibrancy. The office building will bring 980 employees and an expected 157,000 annual visitors to Wheaton. During the last four years, Montgomery County has made significant investments in Wheaton. Read more. Meet the Agencies and Departments Moving to Wheaton The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will be the owner and manager of the new Wheaton office building, which will also house six other County departments and agencies including Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Licensure and Regulatory Services Section, Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services, Montgomery County Department of Recreation, The Office of Community Use of Public Facilities and The Mid-County Regional Services Center/Urban District. Read more. A Look Back at the Wheaton Revitalization Groundbreaking Ceremony In June 2017 at the annual “Taste of Wheaton” County festival, officials broke ground for the Wheaton Revitalization Project that has transformed the former Mid-County Regional Services Center building and adjacent County-owned parking lot into a LEED Platinum County office building, Town Square civic space, underground parking garage and Triangle Lane retail space. MCDOT led the project with many goals in mind, read more. Video: County Executive Elrich and MCDOT Director Conklin Share Their Thoughts on the Project County Executive Marc Elrich participated in filming a brief video about the importance of the Wheaton Revitalization Project. Elrich said he was very happy and excited about the new building and Town Center Plaza, which have created a community gathering and entertainment space that will be used daytime and nighttime, during the week and weekends. Read more. MCDOT Director Chris Conklin discussed MCDOT’s leadership of the innovative redevelopment project. He credited his predecessor, former MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh, as playing an instrumental role in the project design, obtaining approvals and fostering the collaboration that made the project possible. Read more.