‘Ride with Pride' Bus Celebrates June as Pride Month
MCDOT's Ride On bus is wrapped with the Intersex Progress Pride Flag, adorned with Ride with Pride messaging and neon lights to stand out at night. The bus is dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQIA+ voices, culture and civil rights.
The Pride Bus will be deployed on bus routes throughout Montgomery County. Riders are encouraged to post photos of the bus to social media with the tag @MCDOTNow.
On Monday, June 10, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Councilmember Evan Glass were joined by LGBTQIA+ community leaders, elected officials and community members today for the sixth annual Pride flag raising ceremony in Rockville to commemorate Pride Month.
Speakers arrived to the event in the MCDOT Pride bus, which is wrapped with the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag. The bus will be taking over random bus routes throughout the County during the month of June.
Visit the MCDOT Ride with Pride webpage for information about the historical and cultural significance of Pride month and view a time lapse video of the Pride bus being wrapped.
On Sunday, June 30, Pride on the Plaza, will be held at the Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. The MCDOT pride bus will loop on Route 28 from Silver Spring Transit Center and Veterans Plaza.
Montgomery County Breaks Ground on the Nation’s Largest Renewable Energy Powered Bus Depot in the Nation on Friday, June 14
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Andrew Friedson, other Councilmembers, Federal and State officials, AlphaStruxure and Pepco will break ground on an integrated microgrid project at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 14, at the County’s David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operation Center (EMTOC), located at 16700 Crabbs Branch Way in Derwood.
The EMTOC microgrid project will be the largest renewable energy-powered zero-emission bus depot in the nation and the first on the East Coast to produce green hydrogen on-site. EMTOC will set a new standard for resilient, sustainable public transit, advancing the County’s ambitious climate goal of reaching 100 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2035.
This 5.5 megawatt microgrid project, delivered for zero upfront costs via Energy as a Service, will feature solar arrays, electric bus chargers and battery energy storage, enabling the depot to operate indefinitely in “island mode.” It will also include a 1 MW hydrogen electrolyzer that will be powered by on-site renewable energy. The EMTOC depot will eventually power 200 zero-emissions buses. It is currently the County Department of Transportation’s largest fuel user.
The Great Seneca Transit Network Pink and Lime Bus Routes Will be in Operation This Fall
MCDOT is adding two new Ride On extRa bus routes, the PINK and LIME lines. Both will start and end at the Shady Grove Metrorail station and the Traville Gateway Transit Center at the Universities of Shady Grove.
PINK Line: Links the busy Shady Grove corridor with Life Sciences Center via Medical Center Drive.
LIME Line: Uses I-370 to provide an express route to RIO, Crown Farm, and the heart of the Life Science Center.
Dedicated bus lanes, painted red, will make them faster than ordinary buses with no need to find and pay for parking.
A lot like light rail, these high frequency buses will stop at each predetermined stop and accept SmarTrip cards. Like all County buses, fare is only $1. Both of these new routes will be up and running by this fall. This is phase 1 of a larger plan to expand public transit in the area with more routes to come.
Learn more here.
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MCDOT Announces Winners of the ‘Paint the Plow’ Contest
Westland Middle School in Bethesda was selected as the first-place winner of MCDOT’s “Paint the Plow” snowplow naming contest. The winning design featured the “Squirtle Squad” from the Pokémon franchise and a “Road Runner” theme.
The Paint the Plow contest is held each year as part of “Public Works Week” to honor essential workers. During the special week, MCDOT recognizes the employees of its Division of Highway Services with a social media campaign highlighting public works employees and the vital role they play in the safety and quality of life of County residents.
The decorated snowplows were displayed at MCDOT’s “Truck Day” event on Saturday, June 1. The free event in Rockville had nearly 2,000 attendees who were invited to vote for their favorite snowplow design.
MCDOT provided snowplows and paint supplies to 16 county middle schools where students had four days to name and decorate their snowplows. The winners selected were:
- 1st place and awarded $500:
Westland Middle School in Bethesda for its decorated snowplow with a Road Runner theme named “Beep Beep.”
- 2nd place and awarded $300:
Redland Middle School in Redland for its decorated snowplow with a Snoopy theme named “Scoopy.”
- 3rd place and awarded $200:
Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown for its decorated snowplow with a Zombie theme named “Zombinator.”
Residents will see the decorated plows in action this winter. The plows will be deployed during snow and ice events to help clear roadways.
Grant Awarded to Montgomery County to Support Planning for Safety Improvements on Randolph Road
The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) has approved funding for multiple safety improvement planning projects including MCDOT’s Randolph Road Safety Improvement Project in Montgomery County. The Fiscal Year 2025 award for $100,000 will support preliminary engineering designs for safety improvements. The award is part of the TPB Regional Roadway Safety Program.
Randolph Road is an arterial roadway that has a history of serious injury and fatal crashes and is identified in the County's High Injury Network. The proposed improvements incorporate traffic calming measures including enhancing corridor access, strategic lane width reduction and pedestrian safety plans. These plans will address improved pedestrian crossings and ADA compliance for sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks.
Learn more here.
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MCDOT Installs and Activates Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons Throughout Montgomery County
MCDOT has recently installed traffic signals at:
Recently Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB) were installed at:
Planned traffic signals locations for this year are:
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Montgomery County is Developing a Portion of Crabbs Branch Way, Jeremiah Park, in Derwood
A community engagement and land planning initiative has been kicked off by Montgomery County's Department of General Services. The project is located at 16651 Crabbs Branch Way in Derwood.
The public can register online to attend a Community Planning Workshop that will be held on Tuesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. at the MCDOT's Highway Services Office, 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Derwood.
The Shady Grove Sector Plan envisions the property as an inclusive, walkable community with a mix of uses. The County is exploring replacing the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) bus depot currently on-site with a new, modern co-located bus depot that will support both MCPS and MCDOT Ride On buses as they transition to zero emissions vehicles, along with mixed-use development highlighted by amenities and open space.
Community input is critical to shaping this project. Find more information at jeremiahparkproject.com. Connect with the project team at jeremiahparkproject@prrbiz.com.
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MCDOT is Hosting a Public Forum on Proposed Changes to Ride On Bus Routes 43, 63, and 66 on Tuesday, July 2
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 8, the new Ride On extRa Lime and Pink Routes will provide high-frequency service to the Great Seneca area, between Shady Grove and the Universities at Shady Grove. With the addition of this new, high-frequency service, Ride On bus routes 43, 63, and 66 will be adjusted to provide more efficient local service.
All are welcome to attend the public forum that will be held at College Gardens Elementary School, multi-purpose room, 1700 Yale Place in Rockville or join virtually on MS Teams on Tuesday, July 2, at 6:30 p.m.
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MCDOT Invites Public to Newell Street Shared Street In-Person Community Meeting on Thursday, July 11
MCDOT will host an in-person community meeting to present the potential alternatives and get feedback on the future of Newell Street between Kennett Street and East-West Highway in Silver Spring. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring's Health Sciences Center Room 122 located at 7977 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.
In 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, the block of the street between Kennett Street and East-West Highway, adjacent to Acorn Park, was closed to vehicle traffic and used to create additional outdoor space to support safe social distancing. The street has since been reopened to vehicle traffic. MCDOT is conducting a facility planning study to examine the future of this portion of Newell Street.
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MCDOT Fenton Village and East Silver Spring Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Updates
MCDOT’s bicycle and pedestrian projects in Fenton Village, downtown Silver Spring, and East Silver Spring are in various planning and design stages.
The projects are:
- Fenton Street / MD 410 Intersection Redesign will be constructed as a part of the Fenton Street Cycletrack Project.
- East Silver Spring Neighborhood Greenway has completed 30% design. Construction could begin in late spring 2025.
- Fenton Street Cycletrack is in the final design stage. ] permits and the right-of-way acquisition are expected to be completed by the end of 2024 and construction to begin in early 2025 (some utility relocation work may start sooner).
For more details, visit the project website and newsletter.
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Montgomery County Graduates 30 ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors’
MCDOT held the Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 18. Speakers included MCDOT Strategic Communications Manager Emily DeTitta, Montgomery County Police Department Central Traffic Unit, Officer Marcus Lee, Montgomery County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael E. Nelson, Jr. and Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland.
Ambassadors received certificates and earned up to 46 Student Service Learning hours for active participation.
Youth Ambassadors were tasked with planning and executing Safety Day, a family-friendly event focused on pedestrian, bike, and traffic safety. Resources and project guidance are provided by MCDOT to execute projects that will ultimately improve the safety of County residents. Students joined one of four project teams to execute the event:
- Promotions
- Activities and Education
- Vendors and Logistics
- Traffic Garden
The next opportunity for high school students to apply to the program will be in Fall 2024. Learn more about Vision Zero here and follow @VisionZeroMC and @MCDOTNOW on X for ongoing updates on the Vision Zero effort in Montgomery County. View graduation photos here.
MCDOT Provides Update on Metropolitan Branch Trail Phase 2A in Silver Spring
Work began this past March and includes the extension and construction of an asphalt shared use path along with concrete sidewalks, curb and gutter, ramps, and a stairwell. There will be full depth roadway construction along with the resurfacing of the existing pavement. The project also includes grading, drainage, and installation of storm drainage structures. A new two span through girder bridge with a micropile pier approximately 200 feet long will be constructed over US 29 on Georgia Avenue. There will be extensive, multi-stage maintenance of traffic within this corridor along with the implementation of signing, lighting and luminaires, landscaping and fencing.
During construction there will be a intermittent lane closures on Georgia Avenue between the hours of 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. View the project website for more details.
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Council Approves FY25 Budget
The Montgomery County Council voted to approve the County’s $7.1 billion Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget and the $5.84 billion FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program, which funds school construction, infrastructure improvements, and community projects.
The operating budget provides funding for education, public safety, health and human services, and affordable housing. The Council also invested resources to combat climate change and to encourage economic growth.
Transportation-related operating budget projects include:
- MCDOT funding in the amount of $63 million. These funds are divided among MCDOT’s General Fund, the Leaf Vacuuming Fund and the Grant Fund. The General Fund is used to plan, design and coordinate development and construction of transportation and pedestrian routes, operate and maintain the traffic signal system and road network and to develop and implement transportation policies to maximize efficient service delivery.
- Division of Transit Services funding in the amount of $193 million, which provides public transportation services in the County and its budget is composed of the Mass Transit Fund and the Grant Fund.
- More than $370,000 for the Vision Zero NDA, which is an increase of 85 percent from last year’s budget to fund the oversight and coordination of the Vision Zero Initiative to end traffic related serious injuries and fatalities. This increase in funding was made possible because of a federal grant.
Transportation-related capital projects include:
- Funding for the implementation of the comprehensive flood management plan in the amount of $153 million over six years.
- Funding for a hydrogen bus center in the amount of $10.95 million to plan, design and construct a hydrogen fuel cell bus and fueling site at the Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center in Gaithersburg. .
- Funding restoration for the Summit Avenue Extended Project for the master-planned northern extension of Summit Avenue from Plyers Mill Road to Farragut Road. Summit Avenue is a two-lane, two-way business district street in the Town of Kensington.
- Funding for design and construction of four new bridge projects: Auth Lane Pedestrian Bridge, Brookville Road Bridge, Redland Road Bridge, and Schaeffer Road Bridge.
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Attention Residents 50+, Get Comfortable with Traveling on Public Transit with a Free Travel Training
Ride Smart Travel Training is a free workshop from the JCA Connect-A-Ride program designed to help Montgomery County residents aged 50+ gain confidence using local public transportation. Participants learn how to plan a Ride On bus trip, read the Metro map, understand digital schedule signs, load a fare card and quickly find a station’s emergency and accessibility features. Travel Training includes classroom training, a trip on a Ride On bus and a visit to a Metro station.
The next training will be held on Wednesday, July 17 at the Rockville Senior Center located at 1150 Carnation Drive in Rockville.
Advance registration is required. No walk-ins are allowed. Call 301-738-3252 or email connectaride@accessjca.org to learn more and register.
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All Rockville Streets Now Have Speed Limits of 35 MPH or Less
The City of Rockville has announced that all Rockville streets now have speed limits of 35 mph or less after recent speed limit reductions at Gude Drive and Wootton Parkway.
The changes, which do not include state roads, updated signs to reduce speed limits from 40 to 35 mph on the following segments in Rockville:
- Wootton Parkway in both directions between Seven Locks Road and West Edmonston Drive.
- West Gude Drive in both directions between Piccard Drive and MD 355, and westbound between Research Boulevard and MD 28.
- East Gude Drive in both directions between Southlawn Lane and MD 28.
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Road Resurfacing on Veirs Mill Road and Other County Roadways Will Impact Traffic Through Late June
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is paving, patching and sealing cracks on roadways on Veirs Mill Road and the work will impact traffic from Rockville to Wheaton through late June. Roadways in other parts of the County are also being resurfaced, which will cause traffic delays.
Other pavement improvements will include patching on Rockville Pike/MD 355 from Twinbrook Parkway to First Street/MD 911 and crack sealing on West Montgomery Avenue/MD 28 from Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg to Hurley Avenue and Key West and West Montgomery avenues from Broschart Road to Hurley Avenue.
SHA urges all motorists to focus, slow down and stay alert when driving through or near work zones. Motorists should also move over a lane when it is safe to do so to leave room for roadway workers to safely do their jobs.
For a complete listing of major roadway projects in Maryland, visit mdot-sha-project-portal-maryland.hub.arcgis.com. View real-time traffic conditions online at md511.maryland.gov.
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METRO NEWS
Metro Red Line Station Closures Between Glenmont and Fort Trotten
Several Red Line stations are closed between Glenmont and Takoma through Saturday, August 31. The closure will extend to Fort Totten through Saturday, June 29. Free shuttles and dedicated bus lanes along Georgia Avenue have been implemented.
See the WMATA bus cheat sheet for riders to help plan their trips and learn more on WMATA’s website here. View Metro's recent (May 29) Summer 2024 Red Line Construction newsletter here.
Additionally, the MARC train will offer a promotional $3.00 one-way fare from Kensington and Silver Spring to Union Station on the Brunswick Line, with weekly and monthly tickets discounted to $22.50 and $81, respectively.
Exclusive Summer Discounts in Downtown Silver Spring During Red Line Closures
Metro and Downtown Silver Spring have teamed up to offer exclusive deals at over fifteen shops and restaurants during the Red Line closures this summer.
Shoppers who present their SmarTrip Card or mobile app at participating merchants will receive exclusive shutdown deals, which will be updated throughout the summer months.
Commuter Alert: Fare Increases for Metro Bus and Rail Beginning on Monday, July 1
Metro fares are set to increase with the transit agency’s new budget, which takes effect on Monday, July 1.
Bus and base rail fares will increase by 12.5 percent from $2 to $2.25, while the maximum rail fare will rise from $6 to $6.75. Late-night and weekend fares will also increase, shifting from a flat $2 to a variable rate between $2.25 and $2.50 based on distance traveled. Parking fees will remain unchanged.
The fare increases are set to be implemented as five Metro stations—Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, and Takoma—are temporarily closed for Purple Line construction and Red Line maintenance and repair, condensing eight months of weekend closures and disruptions into the summer months. The Takoma station is slated to reopen on Sunday, June 30, one day before the new fares take effect. Read Source of Spring article here.
Metrobus Service Changes to 31 Routes Begin Sunday, June 16
The Metrobus changes will improve on-time performance and expand service on routes with continued ridership growth to meet customer demand across the region. This includes extending late-night service on Georgia Avenue to improve connections from Medstar Montgomery Hospital to Glenmont. Learn more here.
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PURPLE LINE NEWS
Purple Line Summer Closures and Detours
The Purple Line encourages everyone traveling throughout Prince George’s and Montgomery counties to sign up for the project’s Construction Alerts, found on purplelinemd.com.
For details and maps visit purplelinemd.com/construction/detours.
Purple Line Construction to Temporarily Impact Select Ride On Bus Stops in Silver Spring
Due to Purple Line construction, stop 27088 at Wayne Avenue and Mansfield Road and stop 15554 at Piney Branch Road and University Boulevard East will be temporarily closed beginning today, Thursday, June 13. See alternative stops and view maps here.
Historic Talbot Avenue Bridge in Silver Spring Reopens After Six-Year Closure
The Talbot Avenue bridge in Silver Spring has reopened for pedestrians and vehicles after being closed for six years due to rebuilding the bridge as part of the State's Purple Line Project. The old, historic bridge will be on display along the Capital Crescent Trail.
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For more information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news to your mobile phone or email inbox.
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