 County Executive Recommends Funding Bus Rapid Transit/Flash in CIP BudgetThe County Executive’s proposed CIP budget includes advancing two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT, also known as Flash) bus lines located in Equity Emphasis Areas. These include routes on Veirs Mill Road and the central section of 355. The County Council will host the first public meetings on these recommendations, and hear public feedback, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, and Wednesday, Feb. 9. These corridors feature faster service with high-capacity buses along highly traveled routes. Flash has vehicles arriving every 15 minutes or less and provides full accessibility for wheelchairs, persons with disabilities, strollers, bikes, and carts. The first Flash route launched last year on US 29 and is one of the highest ridership routes in the County.  Transit Equity Day is Friday, Feb. 4Transit Equity Day has been celebrated nationally on Feb. 4 to commemorate Rosa Park’s birthday, who would have turned 109 this year. Parks, a Black seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama, was a civil rights activist who refused to give up her bus seat to a white man on a public bus in December 1955. The ensuing bus boycott resulted in the landmark Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional. This national day commemorates Parks, and other civil rights icons, and advocates for accessible, reliable and affordable transit powered by renewable energy as a civil right.   MCDOT is seeking applicants to serve on two separate Corridor Advisory Committees (CAC) that will provide feedback on the North Bethesda and New Hampshire Bus Rapid Transit (BRT, also known as Flash) planning studies. CAC’s gather important information on local ridership preferences and make recommendations. Participation in the CACs by residents and business owners ensures that a project is being vetted and supported by members of the public. Interested residents can apply by Friday, Feb. 11, to be considered for selection as a member of either the North Bethesda CAC or the New Hampshire CAC. Learn more here. |
 ‘Heads Up, Phones Down’ Video Contest is Now Accepting Video Submissions to Promote Safer Driving and WalkingMontgomery County teens have an opportunity to win some great prizes by producing videos to encourage peers not to allow cell phones to distract them while driving and walking. MCDOT's “Heads Up, Phones Down” high school video contest will be accepting entries of 30-second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) through Tuesday, Feb. 22. Montgomery County public and private high school students can submit videos for the contest individually or as a group of up to four in English or Spanish. There is one grand prize and a first and second runner up for both the individual and group submissions. Wining group submissions will split the grand prize with gift cards for each member. Individual submissions may qualify for prizes that include a PlayStation Five, an Apple Watch or tripod. Learn more here.  MCDOT Begins Comprehensive Ride On Reimagined StudyThe Ride On Reimagined Study is a comprehensive, forward-looking assessment of the bus network that will result in significant recommended changes to how transit operates in Montgomery County based on current and future needs. This study will take an in-depth look at Montgomery County’s existing and planned transit systems, including Metrobus services that operate within the County limits and the future Purple Line. The study starts this month and is expected to run for 18-24 months. Learn more here. |
 County Announces Region’s First Electric Vehicle Pledge and Cooperative Purchasing Pilot ProgramMontgomery County Executive Marc Elrich issued a challenge to County residents and businesses today to “Lead the EV Charge” by pledging to buy electric vehicles as the County launched the Washington Region’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) Purchasing Cooperative pilot program. The initiative is designed to accelerate the adoption of EVs by the public in an effort to reach the County’s Climate Action Plan goal of an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027 and a 100 percent reduction by 2035. The pilot phase of the program will run through May. County Executive Elrich is asking residents and businesses to sign an online pledge stating that their next vehicle purchase will be a new or pre-owned electric vehicle. The County set a goal of getting 1,000 residents and 50 businesses to take the pledge this year. Learn more here. |
 Brookville Depot Microgrid Progress UpdateMontgomery County broke ground on the Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot last September, an integrated microgrid and electric bus charging infrastructure project. The project will provide clean energy to charge zero-emission Ride On buses and is on track to be completed late this Spring. While about 30% done, the more complicated work including footers and underground work has been completed. This first-of-its-kind project supports the sustainability and climate resilience goals of the County. |
 Metrobus Resumes Regular Weekday Service on Monday, Feb. 7 Metro is recovering from reduced staffing levels due to a growing number of employees sick from, or exposed to, COVID-19. Metrobus has been operating on a modified Saturday schedule, offering approximately 75 percent of normal weekday service, since Jan. 10. Read the press release online here. Rockville Metro Station Bus Stops Move Back to Original Locations on Sunday, Feb. 13 All bus stops at the west side of the Rockville Metro Station will be moved back to their original locations adjacent to the west entrance on Sunday, Feb. 13. The bus stops were temporarily relocated during the Rockville canopy replacement project. The west side Kiss & Ride will reopen a week later on Monday, Feb. 21. WMATA Installs New Faregates; March 1 Deadline Set for Phase-Out of Older SmarTrip Farecards Faster, better faregates are making it easier for customers to tap, pay and ride Metro. This is part of Metro’s fare modernization program to improve the rail system’s faregates and fareboxes on Metrobus, along with other fare technology upgrades, including mobile pay on Apple iOS and Android. In conjunction with the rollout of the new faregates, and bus fareboxes in late 2022, Metro announced last April that older SmarTrip cards will be phased out. SmarTrip cards purchased prior to 2012 contain outdated chip technology and do not work with the new faregates. Beginning March 1, the old farecards will no longer be accepted. Learn more online here. Provide Your Feedback on the FY23 Metro Budget Metro’s FY23 budget proposal includes service improvements on Metrobus and Metrorail, fare changes to provide better value to riders, and a $2.3 billion capital budget to continue aggressive construction and rehabilitation projects for safe and reliable service. The public can share feedback by submitting a survey or written comments online by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 15. Metro will also host three public hearings that residents can participate in virtually or in person. Learn more here. |
 University Boulevard Bike Lanes Will Not Return Despite ‘Nominal’ Increase in Vehicle Travel Time Maryland State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will not bring back the shared lanes on University Boulevard in Silver Spring. Using data produced during the pilot project as well as results from a survey, the SHA announced on Jan. 26 that it would not make the shared lanes program permanent. MDOT SHA Announces Grant Awards to Eliminate Pedestrian Fatalities and Serious Injuries Montgomery County will receive $720,000 to install protected pedestrian crossings using pedestrian hybrid beacons at Willard Avenue and Shoemaker Farm Lane and also at Willard Avenue and Park Avenue in the Friendship Village area. The county will contribute $80,000 to complete the $800,000 project. HSIP is a core federal-aid program that requires a data-driven, strategic approach to improve safety on public roadways and achieve a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries. For more details, visit safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip. MDOT SHA Activates New Traffic Signal on MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road) at Norris Lane/Monterrey Drive in Wheaton
Learn more here. For a list of all major state projects, visit MDOT SHA’s Project Portal or homepage at roads.maryland.gov. |
A Portion of Sidewalk on Darnestown Road Will Close Feb. 9-14 Utility work will take place at 10315 Darnestown Road during the weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Feb. 9 through Monday, Feb. 14. The sidewalk along the westbound and eastbound sides of Darnestown Road, within the project limits, will be closed. Detour signs will be posted. For questions contact Trinity Subsurface, LLC Keven Crossley at (484)-725-5988 or at Kcrossley@trinitysubsurface.com. Current Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) Double Lane Closures in Chevy Chase Current double lane closures are on northbound Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) between Chevy Chase Lakes Drive and Manor Road in Chevy Chase. As part of a Chevy Chase Lakes project, two existing fire hydrants are being relocated. Construction will take place on weeknights between 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Tuesday, Feb. 8 (weather permitting). Motorists are asked to follow traffic control signage while driving through the work area. For questions contact Magnolia Plumbing Heating & Cooling’s project manager John Kulp at 202-386-7468 or crew supervisor Dave Higdon 202-345-2093.  For transportation updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot or sign up to receive the latest MCDOT news. |
