Needwood Road Bike Path Opens

Pictured are (from left to right) Bill Michie, Rockville Citizens Bicycle Advisory Committee member; Maryland Department of Transportation Charles Glass; Washington Area Bicyclists Association Board Member Peter Gray; MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh; Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett; WABA Member Joe Fritsch; County Councilmember Hans Riemer and MCDOT Needwood Road Bike Trail Project Manager Rebecca Park.

County Executive Ike Leggett, MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh and others celebrated the opening of the Needwood Road Bike Path, Phase I, that provides access to the Shady Grove Metro Station and connects to the Rock Creek Regional Trail from the Intercounty Connector (ICC) Trail. Read more.

Public Invited to Provide Input on Georgetown Branch Trail Interim Route on March 15

During construction of the Purple Line and Capital Crescent Trail, the existing Georgetown Branch Trail will be closed to ensure public safety.  MCDOT is seeking public input on a proposed interim trail route at an open house planned for Wednesday, March 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room B of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda.

Needwood Road Path to Connect Shady Grove Metro with ICC Trail

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering should be completing a bikepath along Needwood Road this spring. The path extends from the south side of Needwood Drive, from the ICC Trail terminus, to the west side of Lake Needwood.  Read more.

Coming Soon: Improvement Projects on the Capital Crescent Trail

Use caution at all times at trail crossing.

Two projects are starting on the Capital Crescent Trail:

1. Montgomery Parks will begin safety improvements in late December at the Little Falls Parkway and the Capital Crescent Trail crossing. Look for a new traffic pattern; Little Falls Parkway will merge from two lanes to one each way in the vicinity of the intersection and the speed limit will change from 35 mph to 25 mph.  Additional signs alerting motorists of pedestrians and bicyclists will also be installed. Read more.
   
   
2. In November, PEPCO crews began a three-month electric infrastructure replacement project with a mobile work zone from River Road to MacArthur Boulevard. The trail is open during construction, but bikers and walkers are advised to use caution when traveling through the designated work zone areas.

New traffic pattern to be installed at Little Falls Parkway and CCT

MCDOT’s Division of Transportation Engineering is Making Progress on Major Construction Projects

MCDOT’s Division of Transportation Engineering (DTE) designs and constructs transportation systems and infrastructure, including bikeways, sidewalks, transit facilities, ADA ramps, roads and storm drains; inspects, maintains and builds bridges; and acquires property for projects.

DTE has a number of major projects under construction and uses Twitter to keep the public informed about its progress on these efforts, including:

• Maryland 355 Crossing
• Stringtown Road   #StringtownRd
• Elmhirst Parkway Bridge  #Elmhirstpkwy
• Needwood Road Bike Path (Phase I)  #NeedwoodBP1
• White Flint Western Workaround Phase I  #whiteflintwest
•  Hyattstown Sidewalk  #HyattstownSW
• Glenbrook Road Contraflow Bike Lane  #GlenbrookRd
• Gude Road Sidewalk  #GudeSW
• Germantown Road Culvert  #GermantownCulvert
•  Agricultural Farm Road Bridge  #AgFarmbridge
• Snouffer School Road (South)  #Snouffersouth

SHA to Begin Bethesda Trolley Trail Improvement Project

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has awarded a contract to construct a 10-foot-wide, shared use, hiker-biker path along Old Georgetown Road (MD 187) that will connect with the Bethesda Trolley Trail section north of McKinley Street. Construction will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by December of this year.

SHA is also making improvements at MD 187 and Cedar Lane and is installing an eight-foot trail section between Alta Vista Road and Charles Street.

Once the Bethesda Trolley Trail project and Cedar Lane projects are completed, there will be a continuous trail along MD 187 from Charles Street to north of McKinley Street.

Roshdieh to be Featured Speaker at Third Great Montgomery Bike Summit to be Held June 18

Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Al Roshdieh and MCDOT Transportation Engineering staff will be presenters at the third Great Montgomery Bike Summit on June 18. They will join Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer, Greg Billing, executive director of WABA and Dave Anspacher, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission transportation planner in discussing ways to improve the bicycle experience and innovative ideas on improving the County’s bike infrastructure.

The event begins at 9:15 a.m. with a group bike ride from the Grosvenor Metro Station to the County Council Office Building (100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville). Riemer will kick off the speakers and Roshdieh will speak at 10:45 a.m.

The summit is being organized by Riemer, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

For more information, go online or call 240-777-7964.

Participants on the group ride at the 2015 Bike Summit.

Planning Department Launches Bike Stress Map; Asks for Help in Identifying Connections Not Listed

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Bicycle Master Plan team has evaluated more than 3,500 miles of roads and trails in the County to determine the amount of traffic stress that people experience when bicycling on them. The map is intended to help planners understand impediments to bicycling and to identify and prioritize the changes that are needed to create a low-stress bicycling environment for the 50 percent of adults who say they would be interested in bicycling, but do not currently ride because they are concerned for their safety. See the map.

In addition, help from the public is requested to identify existing off-road bicycle connections that are not currently reflected on the map. These include connections such as 1) paths between cul-de-sacs, 2) bikeable routes through public spaces, and 3) connections between neighborhoods. Click on the map to provide information about the connection.

 (Source: Park and Planning website)

MCDOT to Begin Project to Replace Elmhirst Parkway Bridge

Starting about May 20, Montgomery County Department of Transportation's Division of Transportation Engineering will begin a project to replace the Elmhirst Parkway Bridge, located on Elmhirst Parkway between West Cedar Lane and Elmhirst Lane, in Bethesda. The bridge was constructed in 1940 and is in poor condition.

The construction is expected to take about nine months during which Elmhirst Parkway will be closed to traffic and detour routes established. The Elmhirst Parkway Hiker/Biker Trail will remain open. “Curbside” government services (such as recycling, mail delivery, etc.) will not be impacted by the road closure. Driveways and entrances will remain accessible at all times.

Construction will take place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Occasional Saturday work may be necessary to make up for weather delays.

Stay up to date on project details online.

SHA Begins Sligo Creek Trail Improvements in Montgomery County; Upgrades Include New Pedestrian Bridge and Trail Realignments

Hikers and cyclists who use a popular trail in Montgomery County will soon enjoy an improved walk or ride in Takoma Park.  The Maryland Department of Transportation’sState Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $1.9 million bicycle and pedestrian improvement project in the southeast quadrant of the MD 320 (Piney Branch Road) and Sligo Creek Parkway intersection.  Weather permitting, construction will be complete by the end of the year. More.

Final Design Selected for CCT-to-Little Falls Trail Connector

The route Montgomery's planning department is recommending for connecting the two trails.

A connector trail between the Little Falls Trail and the Capitol Crescent Trail now has a final design. A connector trail between the Little Falls Trail and the Capitol Crescent Trail now has a final design. See Park and Planning’s recommendation to the Planning Board. Read more.

New Bikeshare Station Installed at Mallory Square

Montgomery County’s 53^rd Bikeshare station is now open at Mallory Square Station, located at Key West Avenue and Siesta Key Way, Rockville. The original installation date for the station was delayed due to Snowzilla. Crews were able to fit in installation of this station ahead of the one planned next week for the Medical Center Metro Station.

The Mallory Square Bikeshare 15-dock Station was funded by the developer of the Mallory Square Apartments, who also paid for a set of replacement bikes and 12 years of station operating costs.

The Medical Center Bikeshare station installation is planned for February 23 and will be located between the Metro station and the Kiss and Ride parking lot. The station will feature 10 bikes, with room for 19 bikes to dock. However, work could be delayed if a predicted winter storm arrives in our area that day.

Montgomery County’s Capital Bikeshare program was launched in September 2013 in Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Rockville, Shady Grove and the Life Sciences Center area. Bikeshare ridership helps reduce the number of people driving alone, improves air quality and maximizes the County’s investment in transit infrastructure like Ride On.

More information about Capital Bikeshare is available online.

MCDOT Bikeways Program Has New Website

 MCDOT’s Division of Transportation Engineering Bikeways Program has a new online look. Check out the updated website to learn more about the program, check out bikeways using the interactive map, find out more about ongoing projects or note the next Bicycle Action Group meeting.  Read more.

Go Montgomery - November 20, 2015

MCDOT, MCPD and MCPS Brief the County Council on the County’s Youth Pedestrian Safety Programs On November 17, the County Council invited County agencies responsible for youth pedestrian safety and school transportation to present an update on their activities. Read more. Regional Street Smart Campaign Offers Tips to Drivers, Pedestrians and Bicyclists on Staying Safe The region's Street Smart safety campaign is offering tips for staying safe this fall and winter. Every year, crashes involving pedestrians spike during October, November and December. Read more. MCDOT and DEP Remind Residents to Keep Leaves out of Storm Drains and Streams With Highway Services’ annual leaf vacuum collection program underway, both MCDOT and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) remind residents to help keep leaves out of storm drains.  Read more. MCDOT to Begin Constructing Needwood Road Bike Path The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), Division of Transportation Engineering (DTE), has begun construction of the Needwood Road Bike Path, located on the south side of Needwood Road from Redland Road to Deer Lake Road. Read more. New Capital Bikeshare Members Can Now Use Credit or Debit Cards as their "Key" Capital Bikeshare has unveiled a new feature that will provide faster access to its system for new members and make it more convenient for existing members. The innovative “Card as Key” feature allows new Capital Bikeshare members to immediately begin checking out bikes at any station in the system by using the credit or debit card they charged to purchase their membership. Previously, new members had to wait until they received their keys in the mail before they could begin riding. Read more. SHA Begins Drainage Project on Connecticut Avenue On November 30 (weather permitting), the State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a drainage improvement project to construct new channel gutters along southbound Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase at the intersections of Woodbine Street and Blackthorn Street. The project will address community concerns about standing water after rainstorms. Read more. Tell FHWA You Want Safer Designs for City Streets Tuesday, November 17, 2015: Article by Angie Schmitt in Streetsblog USA - Click here www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot November 20, 2015 UPDATE ON HIGHWAY SERVICES RESURFACING PROJECTS Primary/Arterial Road Resurfacing Brickyard Road Completed Seven Locks Road In Progress Residential Resurfacing Clearspring Manor Completed  Kingswell Completed Norton Road Completed Spring Garden Estates Completed Greenwood Knolls Phase 1 In Progress Permanent Patching Blunt/Wayfarer Road Completed Glen Haven Completed Chestnut Hills In Progress Residential Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation West Chevy Chase Phase 2 Completed Aderleaf In Progress Chesney In Progress Residential Curbs and Sidewalks Stonebridge Subdivision Completed Carroll Knolls Subdivision Completed Manor Ridge Subdivision Completed Drain Repairs Sweepstakes Road In Progress Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, subscribe at any time on Subscriber Preferences Page. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.  Visit Go Montgomery to view more news.

MCDOT to Begin Constructing Needwood Road Bike Path

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), Division of Transportation Engineering (DTE), has begun construction of the Needwood Road Bike Path, located on the south side of Needwood Road from Redland Road to Deer Lake Road. The off-road, concrete bike path will be eight feet wide and about 1,300 feet long. This portion of the bike trail is part of a larger 1.7 mile bike path that will eventually extend to Muncaster Mill Road. Construction will take about six months.

Crews will work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect temporary lane closures during construction between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Occasional Saturday work may be required to make up for project delays resulting from inclement weather.

Get the latest project updates on Twitter: @MC_DTE #NeedwoodSW.

Work on Park Trails Underway

Bikers and runners should use caution while improvements are being made this fall on several trails in Montgomery Parks:

• Capital Crescent Trail south of Dorset Avenue to the Washington, DC line. Tree work is underway. Trail access will be intermittently interrupted.
  
• Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail between Franklin Street and Knowles Avenue. Storm water management work may intermittently close the trail.  Follow detours.
  
• Paint Branch Trail between Randolph Road and Fairland Road. Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission work is underway.

More information on Montgomery Parks trails is available online. 

Advertising on Bikeshare Station Signs Will Support Maintenance and Expansion of Bikeshare

Seventeen Montgomery County Bikeshare stations now have space available on their signs for advertising. The signs are located in Bethesda and Silver Spring and at other Bikeshare locations. Ad revenue will be used to support Bikeshare maintenance and expansion.

Montgomery County has 51 Bikeshare stations in its network with plans to add 13 more.

More information about the ad rates and locations is available from Brad Falk, Direct Media USA, bfalk@directmediausa.com.  

Celebrate Capital Bikeshare's Fifth Anniversary with MCDOT's Commuter Services

The region’s Capital Bikeshare system is celebrating its fifth anniversary and MCDOT’s Commuter Services will be joining in the festivities by hosting the following events:

September 15 in Silver Spring

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bikeshare station at Fenton and Ellsworth

September 16 in Rockville

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bikeshare station at Maryland and Montgomery avenues

September 17 in Bethesda

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bikeshare station outside the Bethesda Metro entrance

Staff will distribute free Capital Bikeshare promotional items and free 24-hour membership coupons. In addition, sign up for raffles to win bike helmets and an annual membership.

Read more about Bikeshare in Montgomery County.

Montgomery Parks Invites Public to a Meeting on September 16 about Proposed Changes to the Countywide Park Trails Plan

Montgomery Parks is planning a comprehensive amendment to the Countywide Park Trails Plan that uses updated methodologies, tools and strategies to plan and implement major park trail systems throughout the County. Parks invites the public to hear more at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m. at the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks Shady Grove Maintenance Yard Training Room (enter under the green awning), 16641 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville. Read more.

Montgomery Parks Begins Installing Signs along Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail

Rock Creek Trail Signage

Montgomery Parks has begun installing trail signage along the 14-mile Rock Creek hiker-biker trail and its hard-surface trail connectors from Lake Needwood to the District of Columbia border. The project is scheduled to be completed by October 30. Read more.