Ride On Bus Service Changes Begin Sunday, Sept. 8
MCDOT will adjust 23 Ride On bus route service schedules and add two new high-frequency limited stop extRa bus routes starting Sunday, September 8. Although service levels are staying relatively the same, the changes reflect a shift of resources to allow for more reliable service where there is higher demand. The new schedules will be available at rideonbus.com and in print.
Learn more here.
Tropical Storm Debby: Moore Signs Preparedness
Declaration As Storm Nears MD
While the storm's track remains
uncertain, Debby could bring heavy rain, winds, and inland and tidal
flooding to parts of Maryland.
MCDOT urges drivers to use caution when driving during severe weather:
- Always exercise caution on roadways during periods of heavy rain: use headlights whenever you use windshield wipers, reduce speeds and maintain a safe distance between vehicles.
- Do not drive over bridges that are over fast-moving floodwaters. Floodwaters can scour foundation material from around the footings and make the bridge unstable.
- Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- If you encounter high water, turn around and drive to a safe spot. Call the police non-emergency number – 301-279-8000 to report the situation to emergency personnel.
For more information on flood safety, visit the Montgomery County Flooding Information website.
To stay informed during a severe weather event, major crisis or other type of emergency, sign up for the County’s “Alert Montgomery” emergency warning system. Learn more about County's alert system.
Visit the OEMHS website for more information on severe summer storms.
MCDOT's Storm Operations Center is on standby for storm emergency repairs. Follow @MCDOTNOW on X, Facebook or Instagram for storm updates and click here for Ride On bus service delays or subscribe to receive Ride On email service alerts or text MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 for alerts.
If you see a tree or debris blocking a roadway or sidewalk or street/signal outages, report them at MCDOT's Get It Fixed website here or call MC311 at 311 or 240-777-0311.
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Montgomery County
Executive Elrich Joins Metro, Federal and State Team
Seeking to Create Major Life
Sciences and Mixed-use
Project at North Bethesda
Metrorail Station
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Andrew Friedson and Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke led a group of Montgomery, Maryland and Federal officials on Tuesday, July 29 to launch an initiative to create a major transit-oriented life sciences center at the North Bethesda Metrorail Station. Creating dense, walkable, mixed-use development near transit stations will further connect Marylanders to jobs, housing, and other life opportunities. The County has already secured $36.6 million in local, State and Federal funding for infrastructure supporting the project, including streets and utilities, public open spaces and transit improvements.
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MCDOT Honors Employee Steve Suprata for 50 Years of Service
MCDOT proudly congratulates Steve Suprata on an incredible 50 years of service with the Highway Services Division. Steve began his career as a Public Service Worker in 1974 and, through his dedication and hard work, has advanced to the position of Program Manager. He has worked under all seven Montgomery County Executives. Thank you, Steve, for your unwavering commitment and dedication to the residents of Montgomery County.
“I was hired as a Public Service Worker I. Later, became an Equipment Operator I, then Work Force Leader II, all at the Colesville depot,” said Suprata. ”When the Contracts Unit was formed I was promoted to Engineer Technician III, which was later reassigned as a Work Force Leader IV, then I became the Highway Inspection Field Supervisor and finally I became the Division’s Program Manager. I currently manage MCDOT’s safety and training programs as well as the leaf collection and residential sweeping programs. I served as the Storm Operations Center Manager for many years and helped Highways respond to many major and minor weather events.”
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Fall Cleaning of Montgomery County Public Parking Garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton to Begin on Monday, Sept. 9
Starting on Monday, Sept. 9, MCDOT will begin its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton. The cleanings will occur on nights and weekends, starting with Bethesda garages on Monday, Sept. 9, and concluding with Silver Spring garages on Monday, Nov. 4.
Some garages, including select entrance/exit areas and ramps, will experience partial closures. The full schedule of garage cleanings can be viewed here.
MCDOT performs spring and fall washdowns to keep garages clean and help keep grease, oil and debris out of local waterways. Regular cleanings also prevent deterioration from prolonged exposure to salt, sand, oils, gas, dirt, pollen and leaves.
MCDOT contractors will do their best to perform work around garage traffic and parked vehicles and will post signs notifying customers of anticipated impacts.
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MCDOT Seeks Feedback on the Capital Crescent Surface Trail Phase 2 Project Through Friday, Aug. 16
On Tuesday, July 16, MCDOT held a virtual public hearing to discuss the proposed Capital Crescent Surface Trail (CCST) Phase 2 project in
Bethesda. The planned CCST is a
separated two-way bike lane along the northern side of Bethesda Ave. between Woodmont Ave. and Wisconsin Ave. (MD 355). East of Wisconsin Ave., the two-way separated bike lane will continue along the southern side of Willow Ln. to 47th St. A shared-use path is planned along the Elm St. Park’s 47th St. frontage.
The public can view the meeting presentation and listen to a recording of the meeting.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online comment form or via email to the Project Manager, Kevin Minn at kevin.minn@montgomerycountymd.gov by Friday, Aug. 16. All information provided will become a matter of public record. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final design of the project.
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MCDOT Sponsors Learn to Ride Adult Bike Classes
MCDOT will continue its series of fall classes to teach adults how to ride bicycles.
The September classes run from
9 a.m. to noon and are open to
residents 18-and-over who have never ridden a bike or who want to refresh their skills. Bikes will be provided. Advance registration is required to participate, and the cost is $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for WABA or Capital Bikeshare members. The following September classes will be held on:
Registration opens for the above classes on Monday, Aug. 12 and fill up fast. Register at waba.org/learntoride.
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Free Electric Scooter Classes for Adults
MCDOT is sponsoring two free scooter classes in September.
Participants can take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic e-scooter laws.
No registration needed, drop by
anytime between 12-2 p.m. on:
Scooters will be provided free of charge. Individuals must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license or ID.
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In-Person Public Workshop on Sidewalk Improvements for Sandy Spring Road (MD 198) in Burtonsville to be Held on Wednesday, Aug. 28
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, starting at 7 p.m., MCDOT will hold an in-person public workshop to discuss the proposed Sandy Spring Road (MD 198) sidewalk improvements in Burtonsville. The public will have an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions. The planned project offers a 5-foot-wide, ADA-compliant, concrete sidewalk to fill the missing pedestrian link between Dino Dr. and McKnew Rd. in Burtonsville.
The workshop will be held at Burtonsville Elementary School’s All Purpose Room located at 15516 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville.
At the public workshop, MCDOT will present the proposed project details, costs and schedules. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final project design.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online comment form or via email to the Project Manager, Khursheed Bilgrami at khursheed.bilgrami@montgomerycountymd.gov. All information
provided will become a matter of public record.
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Nation’s Largest Renewable Energy Powered Zero-
Emission Bus Depot to Open in Montgomery County in 2025
Construction has started on
Maryland’s David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operation Center (EMTOC), an integrated microgrid infrastructure project that will be the largest renewable energy-powered transit depot microgrid in the U.S., as well as the first on the East Coast to produce sustainable hydrogen energy on-site.
Montgomery County’s EMTOC is a major depot within Ride On
Montgomery’s network and the fifth largest county-owned energy consumer. By 2035, EMTOC is projected to accommodate 200 zero-emissions buses, mostly hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs). It will feature electric bus charging and on-site hydrogen production powered by solar and battery energy storage.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, when the system will begin sending renewable energy back to the grid and powering zero-emissions buses. The existing EMTOC depot will remain fully operational throughout its construction process, with no impact on transit services.
Learn more here.
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Montgomery County is
Seeking Community Feedback on the Jeremiah Park Development in Derwood, Through Sunday, Aug. 18
Montgomery County is working on a community engagement and land planning initiative to explore
opportunities for the redevelopment of Jeremiah Park, a County-owned site located at 16651 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 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-emission vehicles. The plan also envisions mixed-use development highlighted by amenities and open space.
This spring, the County solicited community feedback on preferences and priorities for development in the area. The project team has used that feedback to develop three concept options for the site and again needs public input to help guide the refinement of the plans.
Community input is critical to shaping the future of this project and ensuring Jeremiah Park is a vibrant and welcoming community amenity. This survey is a key part of ongoing efforts to hear community voices and input and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Take the survey online here. Sign up to receive updates at jeremiahparkproject.com.
The public can also stop by anytime between 5 and 7:30 p.m. at the next open house on Monday, Sept. 9, at the Montgomery County Division of Highway Services building, located at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Derwood.
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Registration is Open for Car Free Day, Monday, Sept. 23
Residents can now take the pledge to participate in Car Free Day on Monday, Sept. 23. Each entry will be entered into a raffle for some great prizes.
This worldwide event encourages traveling in ways that are greener than driving alone, such as walking, riding a bicycle, using public transit such as bus or rail, joining a carpool or teleworking. Using more sustainable ways to get around helps reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion. The more people that travel using alternative modes, the fewer greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.
MCDOT’s Commuter Services team will be at various locations with free giveaways and pledge cards that can be filled out to enter a raffle drawing for prizes.
Ride On will provide free fares in honor of Car Free Day on Sunday, Sept. 22. Plan your trip with the Trip Planner app.
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Montgomery County Will Host Two New EV Fast Charging Sites in Silver Spring
Montgomery County was recently selected by the Maryland Department of Transportation to host two EV charging stations as part of the National Electric Vehicle
Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.
Francis Energy, an Oklahoma-based EV charging installer and operator, was selected by the State to install and operate EV fast charging stations at two Silver Spring locations:
The grant is part of a larger $12.1 million in federal funding the State received to expand electric vehicle charging sites under the NEVI program that aims to build a reliable nationwide EV charging network.
This project supports Montgomery County’s Climate Action Plan goals.
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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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