MCDOT's Latest Transportation Newsletter "Go Montgomery" is Now Available! August 27, 2020

 

MCDOT's Neighborhood Greenways Aim to Make Local Roads More Friendly for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Four local streets in Montgomery County will be transformed into more friendly roadways for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-vehicular users, as MCDOT unveils the newest “Shared Streets” in a program that encourages roads to be shared by vehicles and other users. Shared Streets “Temporary Neighborhood Greenways” limit vehicular traffic to local traffic only, providing access to residents, service providers and deliveries. Learn more. Montgomery County to Permit More Businesses to Reopen Under Updated Phase 2 COVID-19 Guidelines Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, after consultation with County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles and based on data from contact tracing, has issued an updated executive order that allows additional openings. Learn more. State to Hold Virtual and In-Person Hearings on I-495/I-270 Managed Lane Study The public has three more opportunities in September to testify about the feasibility of adding tolled lanes to portions of I-495 and I-270. On September 3, State and Federal agencies will jointly hold a virtual public hearing and on September 1 and 10, will hold in-person hearings. Learn more. MCDOT Works With COVID Corps Youth Employees “COVID Corps” is a summer employment program for residents ages 16 to 23 that provides them with opportunities to support the County’s COVID-19 response. MCDOT’s COVID Corps is helping monitor MCDOT's e-scooter pilot program in Silver Spring and providing transportation program information to commuters. The County’s COVID Corps was recently featured on the PBS Newshour and Local DVM. Learn more. Metro Increases Bus and Rail Service Metrorail has begun operating near pre-pandemic service on four of its six rail lines. Buses are operating as early as 4 a.m. and ending as late as midnight, with schedules varying by route. Learn more. Regional transit service is also ramping up. Learn more. Public Invited to Comment on Proposed Changes to Ellsworth Drive MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing on September 14 concerning the proposed abandonment of two sections of Ellsworth Drive in downtown Silver Spring. The abandonment would allow the revitalization, expansion and upgrading of public use spaces and amenities and restrict non-essential vehicular traffic. Registration online is required. Artist Selected for Bethesda's 'Paint the Town' Contest Through a partnership between MCDOT, the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Bethesda Urban Partnership has selected an artist, Megan Lewis, to paint a transportation themed mural on the exterior of MCDOT's Woodmont Public Parking Garage in downtown Bethesda. The “Paint the Town” contest was designed to bring more public art murals to the urban district. Read the Bethesda Beat August 20 article. MCDOT Schedules Semi-Annual Fall Cleaning of County Parking Garages MCDOT’S Division of Parking Management will soon begin its semi-annual interior washdown and degreasing of all 21 County-owned parking garages in Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton. The washings will occur on nights and weekends between September and November. Child Passenger Safety Week is September 20 to 26 Be sure your child is protected by the correct car seat for their age, height and weight. Parents can find more information on how to determine if their child is in the right seat by visiting NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat. Get expert safety tips on how to choose and use a car seat with Safe Kids Worldwide's Ultimate Car Seat Guide at safekids.org/ultimate-car-seat-guide. Expect Lane Closures on Clarksburg Road During WSSC Water Main Work  A contractor for WSSC is installing a force main and water line that will require periodic lane closures between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. until October 23. Expect closures on southbound Clarksburg Road, between Frederick Road (MD 355) and Little Sierra Court, and the northbound and southbound lanes at 23360 Clarksburg Road Work. For more information, contact Jonathan Goodwin at 301-524-6726 or email jgoodwin@cormanconstruction.com. SHA Begins River Road Work to Improve Safety Through spring 2021, drivers may encounter traffic delays on River Road (MD 190) as the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration constructs a $1.9 million roadway safety improvement project between Braeburn Parkway and Pyle Road in Bethesda. Expect temporary single-lane closures on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and multiple-lane closures overnight from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Learn more. Tree Montgomery Provides Free Trees The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is looking for places to plant shade trees, including in the yards of single-family homes, around parking lots and in multi-family communities. Know of a densely-developed area, a spot lacking in trees or a location needing shade? DEP will plant the trees and provide maintenance guidance —all for free! Learn more at treemontgomery.org. Lighting Upgrades Completed at 48 Metrorail Stations Metrorail riders should notice new, brighter lights at 48 underground stations that improve visibility and enhance safety and security while reducing energy costs. Learn more. Employers Asked to Participate in Reopening Survey A regional partnership is asking employers across the Capital Region to take a brief survey about their reopening plans. The information is needed to facilitate the safe and sustainable return to worksites. Take the survey by August 28 at how.ly/25Nv30r5eWj. Police Step Up Traffic Safety Enforcement on ICC/MD 200 From June 5 to 7, the mdta.maryland.gov (MDTA) responded to community concerns about speeding and aggressive driving on the ICC/MD 200 by making 119 traffic stops and issuing a combined 153 traffic citations, warnings and safety equipment repair orders. To report aggressive or dangerous driving on Maryland toll roads, call 410-537-7911. Exelon Is Creating an EV Charging Network in Maryland Exelon’s Maryland utilities (BGE, Pepco and Delmarva Power) are creating an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network that will eventually include 850 chargers. One charging station has been installed at Thomas Farm Community Center at 700 Fallsgrove Drive in Rockville. Find more locations at ow.ly/vR6J30r5bmP. FOLLOW RIDE ON @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Ride On MCT on Facebook, or visit RideOnBus.com. August 27, 2020 Follow MCDOT on Twitter at twitter.com/MCDOTNow, subscribe to MCDOT NEWS releases and/or visit montgomerycountymd.gov.dot. Transportation-Related Holiday Schedule for Labor Day County Offices – Closed. Ride On – Sunday schedule. Metrorail/Metrobus – www.wmata.com. TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center –  Open. Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – Free. Celebrate Car Free Day on September 22 Car Free Day is a worldwide event that encourages traveling in ways that are greener than driving alone. Commuter Connections hosts Car Free Day in the DC region to raise awareness about the benefits of using options such as transit, bicycling, walking, scooters, telework, trains, and “car-lite” options such as carpooling and vanpooling. Learn more.  September is National Preparedness Month National Preparedness Month is an annual event that encourages Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools and communities. What can you do? Check these preparedness tips and sign up for Alert Montgomery. It's Been Almost a Year Since MCDOT Installed the Region's First 'Protected Intersection' in Silver Spring Montgomery County's first protected intersection was installed last October at Spring Street and Second Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. Part of a larger Second Avenue bike infrastructure project, the intersection is designed to better protect pedestrians and cyclists and meet Vision Zero goals to help eliminate severe and fatal collisions. MCDOT Cares for County Trees Trees growing in a County right of way are owned and maintained by MCDOT. MCDOT's arborists prune and care for these trees and plant new ones. See a street tree in need of attention? Contact MCDOT's Division of Highway Services. E-Bikes Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions A new study shows that just a 15 percent shift to electric bicycles would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 12 percent. Take advantage of MCDOT's Bikeshare for commuting and running errands to help our environment. Bikeshare makes the first mile/last mile of a commute much easier. To view the Bikeshare station map visit ow.ly/bht730qKQEv. Volunteers Needed Want to help your neighbors during this difficult time? Learn about volunteer opportunities, including those for non-medical volunteers, through the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. Register if you're an organization that needs volunteers, and get useful guidance. Attention MARC Train Commuters Have you had a chance to check out the new MARC train tracker app? Marctracker.com provides real-time train locations. Download the app at mta.maryland.gov/transit. For transportation updates Visit MCDOT's COVID-19 website at montgomerycountymd.gov /DOT/covid19.html. If you have issues in your neighborhood such as a downed tree, sidewalk damage, streetlight or sign damage, pot hole or overgrown foliage blocking signs, call 311 or report it online at montgomerycountymd.gov/311.

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

New Parking Payment System Being Installed at Kennett Street Garage in Silver Spring

This week, a centralized pay station payment system will replace single space parking meters in the Kennett Street Garage, located at 8040 Kennett Street in Silver Spring. Learn more.

Improvements to Bethesda-Elm Parking Garage Significantly Reduces Energy Use

MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management has upgraded the lighting in the Bethesda-Elm Parking Garage in Bethesda by installing LED (light emitting diode) fixtures that are reducing kilowatt usage by 32 percent.

Wash Downs of County Parking Garages in Progress

Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management has begun its semi-annual thorough washing and degreasing of all County-owned parking garages that will continue through November. 

New Interactive Park & Ride Lot Map Especially Helpful During SafeTrack

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has created an online, interactive Park & Ride Lot map to help drivers plan their trips. The maps allow users to find the nearest lot and see what transit options are available from each one. Or, consider using the lots as a meeting point for carpools and vanpools.  

MCDOT Launches Program to Display Ads in Parking Garages

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management (DPM) began selling ad space in some of its most highly used public parking garages in Bethesda and Silver Spring. Space will be made available in additional garages based on demand. Read more.

MCDOT Wins Two Awards for Capital Crescent Garage

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) won two awards for its Capital Crescent Garage project -- an Innovation Award from the National Council for Public Private Partnerships and a Best Real Estate Deal Perseverance Award from the Washington Business Journal.

 

Portion of the Woodmont/Rugby Garage Now Closed

A portion of the Woodmont-Rugby Garage (Garage 35) in Bethesda has been permanently closed to the public for construction of the 2^nd District Police Station, eliminating 119 parking spaces. In addition, the entrance/exit on Rugby Avenue is also closed.

To assist parkers and local businesses, MCDOT has increased short-term parking in the garage. Long term parkers have been relocated to other parking facilities in the Woodmont Triangle area, including the Auburn-Del Ray (Garage 36), which has plentiful long-term spaces available.

Rendering of the new 2nd District Police Station planned for Rugby Avenue in Bethesda.

Demand-Based Pricing Begins in Three Bethesda Garages

Beginning this month, Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management began demand-based pricing at three Bethesda parking garages. The parking rate at the Metropolitan Garage (Garage 49), the Cordell/St. Elmo Garage (Garage 40) and the Bethesda/Elm Garage (Garage 57) was set at $1/hour. Prices at less popular garages within blocks remain at $.80/hour.

Demand-based pricing at County-owned parking facilities encourages customers to use less popular parking options by making them less expensive. Parking began using this technique in 2013, charging the most for on-street parking meters, less for surface parking lots and the lowest for parking garages. Parking will monitor the success of expanding the use of this pricing mechanism.

MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management Wins Two Awards from International Parking Institute

The Capital Crescent Garage #31 is located at 7171 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda.

In addition to winning the International Parking Institute’s (IPI) Award of Excellence for its Capital Crescent Garage, Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management also won a Parking Matters® Marketing and Communications award, which recognizes outstanding parking related marketing, public relations, or communications programs and campaigns.

Accepting the awards are MCDOT's Jeff Reise and Jeremy Souders.

Using social media and its website, the Division of Parking Management developed a creative campaign using colorful graphics to promote its innovative programs. These innovations include solar powered smart parking meters, electric vehicle charging stations, pay by cell technology, real time signs and mobile applications that indicate parking space availability in garages, a digital permit that eliminates the need for paper permits in vehicles parked in restricted areas, a system that enables parkers to preregister their vehicle and exit a garage without stopping to pay, and a parking boot that allows delinquent parkers to pay their tickets by cell phone without being towed.

More information about IPI is available online. 

Updates on Two Bethesda-Area Parking Garages

A portion of the Woodmont-Rugby Avenue garage in Bethesda is closed to parkers and construction is expected to begin later this year on a new parking garage for the North Bethesda Marriott Conference Center.

Part of the Woodmont-Rugby Avenue County parking garage, closest to the Rugby Avenue entrance, is permanently closed, eliminating 119 parking spaces (22 short-term, 97 long-term), which will be used to store police vehicles and equipment. The entrance remains open to pedestrians. A new 2nd district police station will be constructed on the vacant lot adjacent to the garage.

An online fact sheet lists nearby parking alternatives.

 

Construction is expected to begin later this year on a new six-level, 650-space parking garage that will replace the surface parking lot at the North Bethesda Marriott Conference Center. The project is expected to take 12 to 15 months.

A conceptual design of the parking garage planned for the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.