Montgomery County High School Students Become ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors’ to Help Make Roadways Safer

MCDOT held the Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 11. Speakers included MCDOT Director Chris Conklin, Montgomery County Police Department Sargent Jeremy Smalley, Montgomery County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Avan Browning, and Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland.

Ambassadors served as youth keynote speakers and presented to parents and community leaders their plans, outcomes and best practices at an in-person graduation ceremony at the Public Safety Headquarters. Ambassadors received certificates and earned up to 20 SSL hours. 

Youth Ambassadors were tasked to complete group projects that encompass engineering, education or enforcement topics. Resources and project guidance were provided by MCDOT to execute projects that will ultimately improve the safety of County residents. Students joined one of five project teams: 

• Students created a framework for conducting a safety walk to educate the public about pedestrian safety and explain the significance of learning more about safety while walking.
• Students created a plan for a virtual middle and high school Art/Writing contest promoting safe driving.
• Students created a plan for a walking audit to observe the safety behaviors of students around their four schools for recommendations for pedestrian improvements.
• Students created a youth-centered road safety week educational toolkit to be distributed throughout the county to middle and high schools. Schools will be equipped next school year to mobilize students to make safe decisions as youth road users. 
• Students created a survey to gather student feedback on how safe students feel at school, in terms of road safety.

The next opportunity for high school students to apply to the program will be in Spring 2023.

Learn more about Vision Zero here and follow @VisionZeroMC on Twitter for ongoing updates on the Vision Zero effort in Montgomery County. 

MCDOT’s Bike Match Program Receives New Bike From Bike to Work Day Raffle Winner

Local resident, Michael Milton, donated the bike he won in a Bike to Work event raffle last month to MCDOT’s Bike Match program. MCDOT Director, Chris Conklin, accepted and thanked Michael at a small event in Silver Cycles on June 7. Watch a live stream here. 

MCDOT’s Bike Match program started in June 2020 and enables people with unused bicycles in good working condition to connect with local residents who are in need. They make a huge impact on the lives of children who would not otherwise have a bike and on adults that depend on them for connectivity, to run essential errands and for first mile/last mile access to public transportation. Bikes improve access to affordable transportation, promote health and are an environmentally friendly way to get around.

To date, the program has received and placed 260 bike donations, but there are nearly 600 bike requests.

If you have an adult or child’s bicycle in good working condition that is not in use, please consider following Michael’s lead and donating it to the Bike Match MoCo program. There is a large, local community need for these bikes and they will be put to good use.

Learn more about this program here.

MCDOT's Go Montgomery! Transportation Newsletter is Now Available - June 17, 2202

Montgomery County Receives Maryland Quality Initiative ‘Award of Excellence’ for MD 355 Crossing Project in Bethesda MCDOT's MD 355 Crossing Project in Bethesda was selected as a winner of the 2022 “Award of Excellence” by the Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI) in the category of “Projects Over $5 Million.” The project was managed by MCDOT to enhance capacity and access to the Medical Center Metrorail Station and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety between the west and east sides of MD 355/Rockville Pike at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSA Bethesda), home of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). Learn more here. How a New Transit Network Will Improve Transportation in Western Montgomery County A new transit network is coming to western Montgomery County. The Great Seneca Transit Network will serve the fast-growing Great Seneca Science Corridor, including the Shady Grove Metro, the Universities at Shady Grove, Adventist Hospital, and other key destinations. Read the Greater Greater Washington article here. MCDOT’s Bike Match Program Receives New Bike From Bike to Work Day Raffle Winner Local resident, Michael Milton, donated the bike he won in a Bike to Work event raffle last month to MCDOT’s Bike Match program. MCDOT Director, Chris Conklin, accepted and thanked Michael at a small event in Silver Cycles on June 7. Watch a live stream here.  MCDOT’s Bike Match program started in June 2020 and enables people with unused bicycles in good working condition to connect with local residents who are in need. They make a huge impact on the lives of children who would not otherwise have a bike and on adults that depend on them for connectivity, to run essential errands and for first mile/last mile access to public transportation. Bikes improve access to affordable transportation, promote health and are an environmentally friendly way to get around. To date, the program has received and placed 260 bike donations, but there are nearly 600 bike requests. If you have an adult or child’s bicycle in good working condition that is not in use, please consider following Michael’s lead and donating it to the Bike Match MoCo program. There is a large, local community need for these bikes and they will be put to good use. Learn more about this program here. MCDOT to Have Online and In-Person Events Seeking Input on Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Plans for North Bethesda, New Hampshire Avenue and Rockville Pike/Frederick Road MCDOT will have a series of events to seek input on the planned expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, branded Flash, on New Hampshire Avenue, North Bethesda and MD 355 (Rockville Pike/Frederick Road). Flash bus corridors provide frequent, upgraded bus services on highly traveled corridors. Residents can provide input throughout the month of June. MCDOT is offering multiple opportunities to learn about Flash, engage with project teams, have questions answered and provide feedback. New Hampshire Avenue North Bethesda MD 355 (Rockville Pike/Frederick Road) - Take the survey for a chance to win $50. "The New Hampshire Avenue BRT team spoke with over 300 bus riders last week about plans for better bus service along the corridor.”  Montgomery County High School Students Become ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors’ to Help Make Roadways Safer  MCDOT held the Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 1. Speakers included MCDOT Director Chris Conklin, Montgomery County Police Department Sargent Jeremy Smalley, Montgomery County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Avan Browning, and Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland. Ambassadors served as youth keynote speakers and presented to parents and community leaders their plans, outcomes and best practices at an in person graduation ceremony at the Public Safety Headquarters. Ambassadors received certificates and earned up to 20 SSL hours.  Youth Ambassadors were tasked to complete group projects that encompasses engineering, education or enforcement topics. Resources and project guidance were provided by MCDOT to execute projects that will ultimately improve the safety of County residents. Students joined one of five project teams:  Students created a framework for conducting a safety walk to educate the public about pedestrian safety and explain the significance of learning more about safety while walking. Students created a plan for a virtual middle and high school Art/Writing contest promoting safe driving. Students created a plan for a walking audit to observe the safety behaviors of students around their four schools for recommendations for pedestrian improvements. Students created a youth-centered road safety week educational toolkit to be distributed throughout the county to middle and high schools. Schools will be equipped next school year to mobilize students to make safe decisions as youth road users.  Students created a survey to gather student feedback on how safe students feel at school, in terms of road safety. The next opportunity for high school students to apply to the program will be in Spring 2023. Learn more about Vision Zero here and follow @VisionZeroMC on Twitter for ongoing updates on the Vision Zero effort in Montgomery County.  Montgomery County Releases Third Quarter Updates of the Climate Action Plan The updates highlight the progress that is being made to implement actions from the Climate Action Plan. Highlights of Quarter 3 include: Transportation: MCDOT and DEP launched the EV Purchasing Co-op Pilot and asked residents and local businesses to "make the pledge" to purchase an EV for their next vehicle. Transportation: MCDOT completed the MD355 Crossing Project, with an underpass providing a safe, efficient crossing for pedestrians and cyclists between the National Institutes of Health and Naval Support Activity Bethesda/Walter Reed, and directly connecting with the Metro station.  Learn more here. MCDOT Selects Contractor to Develop ZEB (Zero Emission Buses) Transition Plan STV has been selected by the MCDOT in Maryland to develop a master plan to support its transition to zero-emission buses (ZEB). As part of this initiative, STV will evaluate MCDOT’s existing transit infrastructure for integration needs, while also investigating potential funding opportunities to support the client’s investment priorities. STV will help the county meet its goal of having a zero-emission fleet by 2035. Read the Mass Transit article here. MDOT MTA Hosts In-Person Meetings to Address Progress of Purple Line Construction With the recent selection of a new contractor and construction activities of the Purple Line continuing, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), which manages the project, has been hosting a number of in-person community meetings in Montgomery County. At the last two meetings listed below, MDOT MTA will introduce the community to the new contractor, Maryland Transit Solutions (MTS), talk about construction activities and traffic impacts. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions. Silver Spring  Tuesday, June 21, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Silver Spring International Middle School - Media Center 313 Wayne Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 Long Branch  Tuesday, June 28, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Oak View Elementary School - All Purpose Room 400 East Wayne Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20901 Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival - Community Questionnaire Ends Monday, June 20 The Fairland and Briggs Chaney community is working together to bring to life the goals of the Master Plan and temporarily re-envision a small portion of the Briggs Chaney Park and Ride lot for a two day, community-led placemaking event that will help the community get creative with their neighborhood space on Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22. Residents can complete a short questionnaire to help guide this effort at  ow.ly/eICi50Jxkra. For questions, contact Kristin Leiber at  kristin@betterblock.org. METRO UPDATES Rockville Metro Station East Side Closure Temporarily Relocates Bus Stops Through Sunday, June 26 Due to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration (WMATA) construction and paving work at the Rockville Metrorail station, all bus stops on the East Side are temporarily relocated to either the west side or on the street at MD 355. Wayfinding signs are placed at the Metro station to guide riders to their bus stop. Learn more here. Metro Service Information for Monday, June 20 in Honor of the Juneteenth Holiday Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight with Red Line trains operating on normal service every 10 minutes. Metrobus will operate on a Saturday Supplemental schedule. Bus service varies by route, view these timetables. All subscription Metro Access trips will be canceled. Learn more here. Wheaton Metro Station Construction Will Impact Ride On Bus Route 34 From Tuesday, June 21 to Wednesday, August 3 Construction and rehabilitation of the parking garage at the Wheaton Metro Station bus loop will impact Ride On bus route 34. The bus route 34 stop will be relocated from Bay F to Bay P and Metrobus lines C, Q, and Y will use temporary bays T1, T2, and T3 on southbound Georgia Avenue. Metro’s Sales Office at Metro Center Station to Close Permanently on Thursday, June 30 Services offered at the Sales Office—including pass sales, balance transfers, and adding SmarTrip value—are available through a variety of other sources, including:  At fare vending machines in stations  In the SmarTrip app  The SmarTrip Store (online)  At participating retail outlets, including Giant and CVS, or at commuter stores (such as MCDOT’s Mobile Commuter Store and the TRiPS Commuter Store at the Silver Spring Transit Center). Metro encourages customers to sign up for mobile payment options, including adding their existing SmarTrip card to Apple Wallet or Google Pay and downloading the SmarTrip app. Learn more here. ROAD CLOSURES **Traffic Alert** Emergency Road Repair on Southbound I-270 Closes Two Right Lanes in Montgomery County; Motorists Are Urged to Use MD 355 (Frederick Road) as an Alternate Route The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has closed two right lanes on southbound I-270 prior to I-370 in Gaithersburg to assess a failed corrugated drainage pipe. Crews are currently assessing the extent of the damage and will begin work as soon as possible. Currently, there is no estimated time for lanes to reopen.    MDOT SHA is working with MCDOT to adjust traffic signal timing on MD 355 (Frederick Road), which runs parallel to I-270. Additionally, MDOT SHA is using overhead message signs to alert drivers of the situation, including both directions of I-70 in Frederick County. Learn more here. Road Resurfacing Begins on One Mile Stretch of I-270 as Part of Acceleration Lane Expansion Project to Improve Traffic Flow and Riding Surface  The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) began a project on Wednesday, June 15, to resurface one mile of southbound I-270 (Eisenhower Highway) between Clarksburg Road (MD 121) and Old Hundred Road (MD 109) in Montgomery County. The resurfacing is part of an overall $4.3 million project to improve traffic flow by extending the acceleration lane along southbound I-270, beginning at the existing I-270 southbound truck weigh station, south of Old Hundred Road.    There are single and multiple lane closures between 7 p.m. to 4 a.m., Sunday evenings through Friday mornings through mid-July. Other project activity may require single or multiple lane closures on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. until the project is completed in late summer. For a list of additional major MDOT SHA projects in Montgomery County click here. A Portion of Georgia Avenue (MD 97) is Closed in Silver Spring Through Monday, June 27 Silver Spring Apartments, LLC has closed southbound lanes on Georgia Avenue (MD 97) Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and northbound lanes between 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. near the Spring Street intersection for an ongoing commercial construction project at 8787 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. For questions contact Shannon Strong at shannon.strong@bozzuto.com or 410-703-6544. U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes Rules for National EV Charging Network, Including 97% Uptime and 150 kW Requirements   The proposal, which requires fast-charging stations to offer a standard plug and at least four charging ports, would apply to projects funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. Read the Smart Cities Dive article here. Amtrak Improving Infrastructure Between New York City and Washington, D.C. This summer, Amtrak will be performing more than $55 million in infrastructure improvements between Washington, D.C., and New York City. Work includes updating up to 25 miles of track in the Southern Mid-Atlantic Region and replacing 40 track switches throughout New York and the Northern and Southern Mid-Atlantic regions. Read the Transportation Today News here. Maryland Begins New Study on Chesapeake Bay Crossing Options The Chesapeake Bay Bridge has outlived its expected 50-year lifespan — and now Maryland is taking steps toward a long-term solution to crossing the Bay. Watch the News 4 segment here. Building on efforts from Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration to counter congestion and assess future traffic demand for the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland progressed to a $28 million, Tier 2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study this week. For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov and subscribe to receive MCDOT news to your email inbox or mobile phone. Friday, June 17, 2022 MCDOT is in the Process of Combining Social Media Accounts  Follow us @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Ride On to Provide Shuttle Service for Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18  MCDOT's Ride On will provide shuttle service to those attending Juneteenth Celebrations at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown this Saturday. Learn more here. Juneteenth Holiday Transportation Schedule for Monday, June 20 County offices - Closed. Ride On - Will operate on a holiday schedule. Ride On extRa and Flex - Not in service. Ride On Flash - Orange Line only will operate on a weekend schedule. TRiPS Silver Spring Commuter Store - Open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store - Closed. Parking at County public garages, lots and curbside meters - Free. MARC Train - Will operate on an R schedule. MTA Local and Commuter  buses - Route 201 will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule. Local bus will operate on a Sunday schedule. MTA Stores - Closed. View more schedule changes here.  Capital Bikeshare Offers Free Rides in Montgomery County for the Juneteenth Holiday on Sunday, June 19 Residents can use code “CABIJUNE19” for a $3.75 credit when using the classic red bike at any Bikeshare station. MCDOT Sponsored Six Pit Stops on Bike To Work Day Last month, MCDOT sponsored six pit stops throughout the County for Bike to Work Day. Over 1,700 cyclists registered to attend one of our locations. To celebrate, MCDOT raffled two bicycles at each pit stop plus other prizes. The weather was beautiful and bicyclists also enjoyed the festive atmosphere which included music by a DJ, food, exhibitors, free t-shirts, and other giveaways. Join us next year and until then, happy riding! Over 100 Residents Attended Montgomery County's Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Job Fair Last Weekend MCDOT would like to thank everyone who came out to the CDL Job Fair on Saturday, June 11. MCDOT has a variety of CDL-related job openings still available. Hiring ages vary from 18 to 21 depending on the position. A commercial driver's license (CDL) is not required. MCDOT is looking to fill positions for: Ride On Transit Bus Operators  Highway Services Equipment Operator Apprentice, I, 11, 111 Montgomery County offers a competitive benefits package and a fun, supportive atmosphere, with ongoing professional development opportunities. Learn more here. MCDOT Sponsors E-Scooter Safety Class On Saturday, June 11, MCDOT hosted the last of four e-scooter safety classes for Spring 2022. Over 60 people attended despite the rainy weather. Participants learned how to download the app to rent and operate a Bird e-scooter and were able to take a test ride. They also learned about local e-scooter laws, general safety, and use information. Currently, MCDOT has contracts with Bird, Lime, and Spin to operate within certain areas in Montgomery County.  All vendors participated in one or more of the four training classes. Additional e-scooter safety classes will be offered later this year. Check the website or follow @MCDOTNow on social media for class updates.  Free Fare on all Ride On Buses Through July Fares remain free at least through the month of July. The reduced $1 fare will restart in August. Riders can use their SmarTrips cards or pay with cash at the ticket vending machines before boarding. Seniors, people with disabilities and youth under 18 (older if still in high school) can ride free on Ride On and select Metro buses in Montgomery County at all times. Seniors must be 65 years or older and have a valid Metro Senior ID Card (Senior SmarTrip Card) or Medicare Card with a photo ID. Students can get the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Card at any MCPS middle or high school location, libraries and MCDOT's TRiPS Commuter Stores. Learn more here. MCDOT Promotes Safety During Taste of Wheaton Event MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) staff distributed educational safety materials and reflective gear with a chance to spin a wheel for additional prizes. View photos from the event here. Learn about the SRTS program  and subscribe to SRTS's newsletter. Ride On Bus Route 23 (Sibley Hospital-Friendship Heights) is Detoured Due to Westbard Avenue Road Construction Project Through 2023 View Ride on bus route 23 information here. Learn about what is happening on Westbard Avenue from the Bethesda Beat article here. Want to Save Gas Money and Reduce the Cost of Your Commute? MCDOT’s FareShare program encourages the use of transit and vanpooling by employees working in Montgomery County by offering a transit subsidy through employers.  Using FareShare, MCDOT will reimburse the cost of the employee’s transit subsidy so employers can help pay for their employees' transit and vanpool commuting, lower their taxes and get a tax credit for their business. Employees receive enhanced benefits at a lower cost, and they save money on their commute. Together, both employers and employees help reduce pollution and congestion. MCDOT Drops Off Winning Check to 'Paint the Plow' First Place Winner On Friday. June 10, Richard Dorsey, Chief of MCDOT's Highway Services Department, stopped by John Poole Middle School in Poolesville to drop off the first place award of $300 for their decorated snowplow named “Kaplow.” Second place award of $200 went to Kingsview Middle School in Germantown for their decorated snowplow named “Melted.” Third place award of $100 went to Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring, for their decorated snowplow named “Be Transformed.” View all winner submissions here. The decorated plows will be part of the MCDOT fleet that will be clearing snow from streets this winter.  Elevators Temporarily Closed at Metropolitan Public Parking Garage 49 in Bethesda The County's public garage is located at 7601 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda. The elevators on the Edgemoor Lane side of the garage are undergoing repairs and are closed until further notice. The elevators located near Old Georgetown Road are open. Don’t Be an Aggressive Driver; Follow the Speed Limit For more than two decades, speeding is one of the most dangerous driving behaviors and has been involved in approximately one-third of motor vehicle fatalities in Maryland. In 2020, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities nationwide. Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair, or in an area at night that isn’t well lit View the following tips for safer driving: Allow more travel time to get to your destination. Come to a full stop at red lights and stop signs, and avoid running yellow lights. Don’t block the passing lane and let other drivers merge with you. Don’t follow other drivers too closely. Give others the benefit of the doubt; be polite, courteous, and forgiving, don’t challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to hold your position in your travel lane. Report aggressive and speeding drivers to 911 or call the Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000. In 2019, speeding was a factor in 9,100 crashes in Maryland. Don’t be a statistic. Learn more here. MC311 Will be Closed for the Juneteenth Holiday on Monday, June 20 Service requests can still be submitted online at  montgomerycountymd.gov/311.

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

MCDOT's Go Montgomery! Newsletter - Thursday, June 2, 2022

 

MCDOT Wins Six NACo Awards MCDOT has won six 2022 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards, accounting for about 20 percent of the 31 total awards won by Montgomery County. Award categories include transportation, information technology and financial management. The six Achievement Awards won by MCDOT are: Call-n-Ride Essential Delivery Service Storm Drain Culvert Resiliency Program for Addressing Climate Change Free COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing, Mask Pickup Taxi Program Service Request Management Map (MCDOT and TEBS) Enhancements to Central Vendor Registration System (CVRS) for Individual Payees (MCDOT & Finance) Streamlined Electronic Invoice Management Learn more here. TONIGHT: MCDOT Hosts Virtual Public Forum on the Proposed Addition of Bus Route 27 in Silver Spring on Thursday, June 2 MCDOT will hold a virtual public forum On Thursday, June 2, starting at 6:30 p.m., to discuss a new bus route that will provide service between Hillandale Transit Center/Tech Road Park and Ride lot and US 29, with a stop at the Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center. The proposed route will have stops along Powder Mill Road, Cherry Hill Road, Plum Orchard Drive, Broadbirch Drive, Tech Road, and the Tech Road Park and Ride lot and provide connections with Metrobus, Ride On, and Flash bus routes. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions as the County works to grow transportation access and initiate community-wide feedback on the proposed route. Learn more here. MCDOT Wants Public Input on the New Flash Bus Corridor  Take the online survey or join an MCDOT “pop-up” event between May 20 - June 21, 2022. Each event will have interactive displays, giveaways, and will collect community feedback. For a list of all MD 355 CAC meetings and other outreach activities visit the project website here.  For a list of all North Bethesda CAC meetings and other outreach activities visit the project website here.  For a list of all New Hampshire CAC meetings and other outreach activities visit the project website here. Winners of MCDOT's ’Paint the Plow’ Middle School Snowplow Naming Art Contest Announced Teams from 14 Montgomery County middle schools participated in the first-ever MCDOT ‘Paint the Plow’ middle school snowplow naming contest. Snowplows and paint supplies were delivered by MCDOT to each school and the student teams had four days to name and decorate their snowplows. The decorated plows will be part of the MCDOT fleet that will be clearing snow from streets this winter. The winners were named as MCDOT concluded its event to celebrate “Public Works Week” to honor essential workers. During the special week, MCDOT recognized the Division of Highway Services employees with a social media campaign and the Paint the Plow contest. The entries to the contest were showcased during MCDOT’s family ‘Truck Day’ event that was held on Saturday, May 21. Attendees were asked to vote for their favorite snowplow name and design. The winners selected were: First place and awarded $300: John Poole Middle School (Poolesville) for its decorated snowplow named “Kaplow.” Second place and awarded $200: Kingsview Middle School (Germantown) for its decorated snowplow named “Melted.” Third place and awarded $100: Eastern Middle School (Silver Spring) for its decorated snowplow named “Be Transformed.” The contest was a unique and fun way to introduce students to some of the work done by MCDOT. Pictures of the painted plows can be viewed online here. Montgomery County Council Approved FY23 Operating Budget and FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program The Council agreed with 99.8 percent of County Executive Marc Elrich’s budget recommendations and approved $6.3 billion in the operating budget and $5.3 billion in the capital budget to be spent over six years. The approved budget is a 6.2 percent increase from the FY22 approved budget without any tax rate increases. The FY23 operating budget will go into effect on July 1. Transportation Related Highlights of the FY23 Operating Budget: $459.1 million for Bus Rapid Transit $438.1 million for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects along MD355 and Veirs Mill Road Construction of BRT Route along MD355 from Rockville to Germantown to extend fast, high-capacity transit for communities not served by Metrorail, with additional funding for designing the remaining portions (Rockville to Bethesda and Germantown to Clarksburg) For a full list of transportation highlights, click here. Community Meetings Announced as Purple Line Work Continues With the recent selection of a new contractor and construction activities of the Purple Line continuing, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), which manages the project, will be hosting a number of in-person community meetings in Montgomery County. The Purple Line is a 16-mile light rail line that will extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County. It will provide a direct connection to the Metrorail Red, Green and Orange Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton. The Purple Line will also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. The Purple Line has a planned completion date of 2026. The public is invited to both, open houses and Community Advisory Meetings (CATs) to give Montgomery County residents updates on the Purple Line on the project’s website at purplelinemd.com/upcoming-meetings. These meetings are open to the public, and questions are permitted during the Question-and-Answer portion of the meeting. Learn more here. Participate in Maryland Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan (ZEVIP) Webinar on Friday, June 10  at 1 p.m. and Take the Survey On Friday, June 10 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., the public is invited to join the Maryland Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan (ZEVIP) webinar. MDOT will present the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) planning efforts to date which allocates funding to states to strategically deploy EV charging stations along highway corridors and establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access and reliability. Register to attend online here. There is still time to participate in the ZEVIP survey to provide your feedback on goals, priorities, and locations for EV infrastructure deployment. As of February 28, there are over 43,700 EVs registered in Maryland.  METRO NEWS Metrorail Weekend Service Adjustments for Saturday, June 4 through Sunday, June 5 Learn more here. Rockville Metro Station West Side Closure – Temporary Bus Stop Relocations Are in Effect Until June 6 Due to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority construction and paving work at the Rockville Metrorail station, Ride On and Metro bus stops on the West Side Kiss & Ride lot are closed until June 6 and have been temporarily relocated. Wayfinding signs are placed at the Metro station and MCDOT's Ride On staff are onsite for rider assistance. Learn more here. New App Will Help Low Vision Riders Navigate Transit System A new navigation app designed to help persons with a vision disability is launching at three select metro stations including the Silver Spring Metro station in Montgomery County. The app works by feeding directions auditorily through a free and downloadable app, regardless of wifi access or cellular signal strength. It’s accurate up to three feet of a destination, and instructs a user on exactly how many steps to take and how many degrees to turn, while also adding contextual information. The app doesn’t require Metro to install any new equipment or technology in their cars, buses and stations — it simply uses a software to track how people move. According to a WMATA Accessibility Advisory Committee report earlier this month, Waymap began piloting the project in late April, after the company spent roughly a month scanning, mapping, and filming the first three stations. Metro has partnered with Waymap, a new UK-based start-up, will soon be available in at least 30 Metro trains and nearly 1,000 bus stops by this September; with the entire system scheduled to be brought online by early 2023. Read the DCIST article here. Lane Closure Kicks Off Major Work on Beltway Widening in Virginia A rush-hour traffic lane will close permanently this week along a busy stretch of Interstate 495 in Virginia as major construction begins on the extension of the express lanes closer to Maryland.  Read the Washington Post article here. Maryland Begins Issuing Digital Driver’s Licenses, ID Cards The Transportation Security Administration announced that Maryland residents can now add a digital version of their license or ID to their Apple Wallet. These digital IDs are acceptable at BWI and Reagan National airports. Maryland is the second state to offer this feature. Arizona was the first. Read the Washington Post article here. A Crisis on the Roads: Traffic Fatalities Hit a 16-Year High in 2021, Data Shows Nearly 43,000 people were killed on U.S. roads last year, the highest number in 16 years as Americans returned to the roads after the coronavirus pandemic forced many to stay at home. The 10.5% jump over 2020 numbers was the largest percentage increase since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began its fatality data collection system in 1975.  Read the WUSA9 article here. For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit  montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to receive MCDOT news to your email inbox or mobile phone. Thursday, June 2, 2022 MCDOT is in the Process of Combining Social Media Accounts Follow us @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and  Instagram.  World Bike Day is Friday, June 3 World Bicycle Day draws attention to the benefits of using the bicycle — a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation. The bicycle contributes to cleaner air and less congestion and makes education, health care and other social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations.  Montgomery County Hosts Commercial Driver's License Job Fair Saturday, June 11 in Rockville Looking for a rewarding career that won’t pin you behind a desk? Do you enjoy being social, meeting new people, and driving? Please join us for the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Job Fair on Saturday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Executive Office Building in Downtown Rockville. Learn about what career opportunities are available within Montgomery County Government. Job seekers 18 and over will have the opportunity to get assistance on how to apply for a job with the County and meet knowledgeable staff to answer any questions regarding the application process. Montgomery County has a variety of CDL-related job openings available. Hiring ages vary from 18 to 21 depending on the position. A commercial driver's license (CDL) is not required to submit an application. The job fair will look to fill positions: Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Ride On Transit Bus Operators and  Highway Services Equipment Operators Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) Truck Drivers/Warehouse Workers Department of General Services (DGS) Mechanics (Apprentice, Level I, Level II, Level III).  Montgomery County Government offers a competitive benefits package and a fun, supportive atmosphere, with ongoing professional development opportunities. Learn more here. MCDOT Hosts Free E-Scooter Classes  Residents age 18+ can drop by anytime between 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. to take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic scooter laws. No registration is required, although participants must have a valid driver’s license.  Saturday, June 4 @ Wheaton Ice Arena Saturday, June 11 @ Montgomery College Rockville Campus For details, view the flyer here. County Residents Donated 2,078 Pounds of Non-Perishable Food During MCDOT's Annual Ride On Food Drive Thank you to those residents who donated. All food donations will go to Manna Food Center to help community members in need.  If you did not have a chance to participate, it's not too late. Donate at the following Manna Food Center locations: Manna Food Center warehouse: 9311 Gaither Rd Gaithersburg, MD 20877 301-424-1130 Manna Food Center, administrative office: 12301 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 301-424-1130 Click here to watch a video on what to donate. Thanks to Everyone That Participated in MCDOT's Annual Virtual Safety Week; More than 20 Interactive Safety Activities are Still Available Online MCDOT's Safe Routes to School program and Montgomery County Public Schools developed a week's worth of activities and videos for families of elementary and middle school-age children to share from home. The activities emphasize the importance of pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety. 20 students who participated in the activities and submitted a photo were randomly chosen to receive a $15 Amazon gift card.  Activities are still available on the event website at montgomeryountymd.gov/ safetyweek. Seatbelts Save Lives The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced in May the launch of the annual Click It or Ticket national seat belt enforcement mobilization with the goal of reminding drivers that seat belts save lives. Special enforcement efforts are in effect during which state and local law enforcement agencies across the country will be issuing tickets to drivers who choose not to buckle up. The work of our nation’s law enforcement officers plays an important role in preventing and reducing traffic-related fatalities. In 2020, more than half of all young adults ages 18 to 34 killed in crashes were completely unrestrained. Men make up the majority of those killed in crashes, representing 67% of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2020. Data show 55% of men killed in crashes were unrestrained, compared to 43% of women killed in crashes. Pepco Reopens Randolph Road in Bethesda On Tuesday, May 31, Pepco reopened Randolph Road to two-way traffic after a 6-month construction effort on the westbound lanes of Randolph Road, between Nebel Street and Parklawn Drive in Bethesda. Minor White Flint Substation construction will continue to take place in the next week with minor impacts to traffic.  Takoma Park Police Joins Program to Provide Free Repair Vouchers for Some Vehicle Safety Violations The Takoma Park Police Department has entered into a new partnership that provides vouchers to drivers that get pulled over for a burnt out light. The partnership is with Lights On!, a program that works to improve community–police relations by providing vouchers, worth up to $250, to fix typical safety violations with headlights, taillights, brake lights and blinkers, if needed. Learn more here.

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