 Alternative Transportation Options Available in Montgomery County for Riders Impacted by Metrorail SlowdownAs a safety measure, Metro has taken its 7000-series railcars out of service, which comprises approximately 60 percent of its railcar fleet. The result is that Metrorail is operating with reduced service on all lines. Longer wait times and concerns of overcrowding amidst the lingering COVID-19 health crisis have left many travelers searching for alternatives. MCDOT has put together some alternative ways to get you where you need to go. Get the details here.  As Daylight Saving Time Ends this Weekend, MCDOT and Vision Zero Promote Pedestrian SafetyThe fall and winter months bring less daylight and darker commuting hours. The end of Daylight Savings Time begins overnight this Saturday and clocks will need to be turned back one hour. Getting darker earlier can lead to an increase in crashes between drivers and pedestrians. Past records show that two-thirds of all fatal pedestrian injuries over the last four years occurred between dusk and dawn. To address the changing conditions, MCDOT continues to make upgrades to streetlights and crosswalks to protect pedestrians and urges residents to lookout for each other and obey the rules of the road. This collaboration is facilitated by the County’s Vision Zero Initiative, which is committed to reducing, and eventually eliminating all traffic-related deaths. Safety tips: - Drivers should be on the lookout for pedestrians, bicyclists, and children.
- Drivers should reduce speed, turn on headlights earlier and be alert.
- Wait for the walk signal. If there is no traffic signal, make sure it’s clear to cross. Look left, right and then left again before crossing.
- If there are no sidewalks, walk against traffic so drivers can see you more clearly.
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 MCDOT's Leaf Vacuum Collection Begins Nov. 8, and Continues Through Mid-December
MCDOT will begin its annual leaf vacuuming with two collections in every leaf collection district street this fall. This year, a resident can easily find the collection schedule online by simply entering an address. The leaf zone is bounded by I-495, I-270, the Rockville City limits, Norbeck, Bel Pre and Bonifant roads, Northwest Branch Park, the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County lines. Prior to collection, signs will be posted along streets directing residents to the online leaf collection map and collection date information. Residents are asked to pile leaves near the street, but off the road. Avoid placing leaves on road shoulders, bike lanes and rain gardens as leaves in these areas can disrupt traffic, negatively impact stormwater drainage, hamper snow removal operations and become a fire hazard for automobiles parked over them. Leaf piles also limit the availability of residential parking, and when wet, can pose a hazard to cyclists and pedestrians. Learn more here. |
 Corridor Advisory Committee Seeks Feedback on Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit/Flash Bus, System Expansion in Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 10Montgomery County’s Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC) will hold a virtual meeting from 6:30-8 p.m., to provide an update and seek feedback on the future Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)/Flash Bus project. During the meeting, organized by the MCDOT, residents will be asked for their views on station access and design. MCDOT recently completed preliminary engineering and is preparing to begin the final design. All CAC meetings are open to the public. Get more information here. |
 See MCDOT's New Connecting Our Communities DocumentMCDOT has recently published a “Connecting Our Communities” document that includes information about the department and highlights MCDOT’s three priority areas: Safety and Vision Zero, Environment and Climate Resiliency, and Economic Growth and Equitable Access and related highlights. Transportation is one of the County’s most important resources, supporting residents and visitors with transit options and infrastructure. Learn more about MCDOT by viewing the document here. |
 Input on Taxi Services Sought From Residents 65+ and the Disability CommunityThe Department of Health and Human Services, MCDOT and the Taxicab Services Commission are conducting a survey of county residents 65 and older and residents with disabilities to learn about their experiences using taxi services. The survey focuses on taxi service that is part of MetroAccess, Abilities Ride, Call-n-Ride, and Medicaid Transportation. You can complete the survey here or by phone, 240-777-1350. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, Nov. 26. Learn more here. |
 County Council Prepares Bill Regulating E-ScootersMontgomery County introduced Bill 36-21, Motor Vehicles and Traffic – E-Scooters – Operating Requirements and Registration to establish registration and operating requirements for low-speed, electric scooter use in the County. A public hearing for the bill is scheduled on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 1:30 p.m. Register to attend here. |
METRO UPDATES Reduced Metrorail Service to Continue at Least Through Nov. 15 Metro continues to work with the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission on a plan to get 7000-series railcars safely back into service. Metro is working to grow the number of trains available for daily service. Learn more here. Customers are encouraged to use Metro’s Trip Planner tool for current schedule updates, and Metro’s Live Train Map provides real-time information on where trains are. Customers are also encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts. Metro Announces Schedule Delays for Rockville Canopy Replacement Project Shady Grove and Rockville Stations now expected to reopen in January. Learn more here. Current Metro News: - Metrorail Update: More Cars, Better Wait Times Promised This Week - In a Monday afternoon update, Metro said it has made progress getting more trains on the track and improving wait times, but it will be a while before schedules are back to normal. Read the WTOP article here.
- Metro Proposes Fare Cuts - Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld is proposing to lower late-night fares to a flat $2 to help service workers and boost traffic to restaurants and events, discount monthly passes aimed at commuters, and cut the price for unlimited seven-day passes to target teleworkers. Read the Washington Post article here.
- Problems With Metro Prompts FTA to Examine Other Transit Systems - After Metro pulled its 7000-series railcars out of service last month due to a wheel defect, the Federal Transit Administration is issuing a safety advisory calling on other transit systems to report on their cars’ wheel gauges. Read the Washington Post article here.
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ROAD CLOSURES/PROJECTS Baltimore Road Remains Partially Closed Through November The closed portion is between Gladstone Drive and Broadwood Drive in Rockville. Motorists can take Veirs Mill Road to get around the closure. The goal is to make the road safer for pedestrians by adding safety measures at several intersections, including sidewalks and creating easier access to the Rockville Metro Station. Learn more here. A Portion of Great Seneca Highway to Close Between Nov. 9 - 12 American Directional Drilling will install a new 2-inch Comcast fiber line pipe along Great Seneca Highway at the intersection of Kentlands Boulevard in Gaithersburg. The right lane and sidewalk along Great Seneca Highway between Kentlands Boulevard and Main Street will be closed weekdays, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Signs and barriers will be posted. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists should travel undistracted through the work zone and may need to add extra time to their commute. For questions contact Construction Manager, Stanley Powell at 301- 606-7133 or stan.powell@ccgcatv.com. Construction Continues for Pepco's White Flint Substation Project Pepco is constructing a new substation in the North Bethesda / White Flint area to deliver energy to nearby families and business. As part of this project, a 6-month construction effort on a micro-tunnel is in the works on the westbound lanes of Randolph Road, between Nebel Street and Parklawn Drive that allows east bound traffic only. West bound traffic will be detoured down Parklawn Dr. to Rockville Pike-MD-355. Sidewalks on Randolph Rd. will remain open to pedestrians throughout the duration of the micro-tunnel construction. Flaggers and officers are posted to help coordinate traffic going to local businesses. "We're Open" signs have been placed in front of all business entrances to encourage patronage during construction. All traffic control measures will remain in place 24/7 until the work is completed. |
 National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week Nov. 1-7Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, is a good time to remember that drowsy driving is impaired driving and is responsible for more than 6,400 U.S. deaths annually. According to the National Sleep Foundation, about half of U.S. adult drivers admit to consistently getting behind the wheel while feeling drowsy. MCDOT encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when alert and refreshed. Learn more here. |
 Mass Transit Options Proposed for MD I-270 CorridorAs the Montgomery County’s planning department rolled out recommendations for reducing traffic congestion along Maryland’s Interstate 270 corridor, planners said additional mass transit options should be considered, including dedicated bus lanes. Read the WTOP article here. |
 For department updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot or sign up to receive the latest MCDOT news releases. |
