 MCDOT Launches ‘20 is Plenty’ Pilot ProgramThe pilot program lowers speed limits to 20 miles per hour on five streets to promote safer roadways for pedestrians and bicyclists. The pilot program falls under the County adopted Vision Zero action plan to eliminate serious and fatal collisions on County roadways for vehicle occupants, pedestrians and bicyclists by 2030. County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Tom Hucker and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson, Evan Glass, and Pedestrian, Bicycle and Traffic Safety Committee Chair Kristy Daphnis joined MCDOT Director Chris Conklin at the podium. “Slower speeds provide a safety buffer by shortening stopping distances and lessening the impact of crashes,” said Conklin. “When crash impact speeds rise from 20 to 30 miles per hour, the risk of fatality to a pedestrian increases eight-fold. Safety is at the center of all of our work. We are constantly asking ourselves what can be done to better protect the public and this pilot program falls in alignment with these values.” Learn more here. See the coverage from WUSA 9 here. |
 Montgomery County Department of Transportation has Installed ‘Dynamic Speed Signs’ Informing Drivers of Their Actual Speed on Brink Road in Gaithersburg as Part of Campaign to Lower Speeds, Save LivesThe Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has installed permanent, “dynamic speed signs” (DSS) on Brink Road in Gaithersburg to provide real-time speeds to drivers. The campaign is a pilot program under the Montgomery County Vision Zero initiative to eliminate severe injuries and fatalities from traffic-related incidents by 2030. Two signs will face eastbound traffic and two will face westbound. For more information click here. |
 Federal Regulations Continue to Require Face Coverings on Public Transportation Through Sept 13 MCDOT reminds the public that Federal guidelines continue to require face coverings, through at least September 13, when traveling by bus, ride share, Metrorail or taxis. All MCDOT Ride On buses have a limited supply of face coverings for those who do not have their own. Ride On, Ride On extRa, and Flash buses remain free to all passengers through at least September. Fees were suspended during the health crisis. Learn more here. |
 New Climate Action Plan Unveiled for Montgomery CountyFor information, including the main elements of the Climate Action Plan, click here. |
 Ride On Flex On-Demand Service Will Restart Operations on July 19 Ride On’s Flex offers transit on demand in defined zones in Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton. The 11-seat passenger buses provide service within these defined geographical zones at specific times of the day. Riders can request trips from a designated pickup location to a drop off location within the same service zone using the app or the new call center. This and all County buses continue to offer free fair to all riders throughout the summer months. Flex will operate in the Rockville zone from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and in the Glenmont/Wheaton zone during peak periods (6-9 a.m. and 3:30-7 p.m.). The zones offer connections between households, transit hubs, commercial centers and public services. Learn more here.  Council Approves County Executive Elrich’s Budget Recommendations to Boost Transportation and Safety View details of the approved budget here.  MCDOT Ends Free Ride On Shuttle Service to Germantown Mass Vaccination Site, July 2County Executive Marc Elrich announced that the COVID-19 mass vaccination site at Montgomery College Germantown Campus will close on Friday, July 2, therefore ending Ride On's free shuttle bus service, that ran between Shady Grove Metro and the Montgomery College Germantown Campus since March 31. The County will open an alternate vaccination site at the Upcounty Regional Services Center, on July 6. |
 Congressman Trone Tours MCDOT’s Gaithersburg Bus Depot and Electric BusesCounty Executive Marc Elrich and MCDOT Director Chis Conklin hosted Congressman David Trone on a tour of the cutting-edge bus depot facility in Gaithersburg. This depot supports about 40 percent of the County’s transit operation. MCDOT currently operates four zero-emission buses with an additional 10 electric buses on order. Learn more here. |
MORE MCDOT NEWSSTATE ROAD PROJECTS Avocet Towers Investors, LLC Continues Road Closures in Bethesda Starting July 1- Closure of Wisconsin Avenue right turn lane and sidewalk from 7351 Wisconsin Avenue to 7359 Wisconsin Avenue. The turn lane and the sidewalk will remain closed until September 30. All pedestrian traffic will continue to be directed through overhead protection located in the turn lane.
- Closure of Montgomery Avenue southern curb lane and sidewalk from Wisconsin Avenue to Waverly Street. The curb lane and the sidewalk will remain closed until September 30.
If you have questions regarding the closures during construction contact Chis Kirkwood by email ckirkwood@balfourbeattyus.com or by phone 703-928-4026. |
METRO NEWS Metro service info for July 4 and July 5
The National Park Service has announced the Independence Day fireworks show will return to the National Mal in DC on July 4, beginning at 9:09 p.m. Metrorail service will operate 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. During the day, trains will run on a regular weekend schedule, every 12 minutes on the Red Line until 4 p.m., after this trains will run every 6 minutes. Read WMATA’s press release for more details. If you're planning to use Metro to go downtown for July 4 festivities, be sure you have enough money on your SmarTrip card beforehand, so that you aren't faced with long lines when you get to the station. Metro Announces the Launch of SmarTrip on Google Pay
Metro has just launched a new SmarTrip app, available at Google Play Store, that allows the convenience of tap-and-go with an Android at fare gates and on buses that are Android-compatible. Metro will waive the $2 SmarTrip card fee for all Android users purchasing a virtual SmarTrip card during the first six months of its launch. Metro is phasing out diesel-powered buses. A new plan is in place to transform the fleet to electric by 2045 Read the Washington Post article for more details. Metro riders will soon see new, upgraded faregates as testing gets underway at six pilot stations. Metrobus to Expand Late-Night Service, Restore More Routes to Support Region’s Recovery View a detailed list of service changes by route. |
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