MCDOT Hosts Visiting Groups from Uganda and South Korea

Visit from South Korean delegation 

Visit from Uganda delegation

MCDOT’s Highway Services is a regular stop for visiting delegations from the International Road Foundation (IRF), which promotes dialogue and shares program ideas across multinational borders and among agencies.

Highway Services staff, Steve Suprata, Tim Serrano, Melissa Garner and Josh Faust, met with representatives from the Ugandan Ministry of Transportation on June 13, and on June 21, they hosted a delegation from the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transit.  Both visiting groups were interested in learning more about Montgomery County’s transportation and Highway Services programs and responsibilities and sharing information about their operations.

Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green Landscape Beautification Contest Deadline Extended to June 17

The Rockshire Entranceway in Rockville was a participant in the Landscape Beautification competition for seven years, retiring last year receiving a Golden Trowel Award. Landscaping was maintained by the Rockshire Garden Club.

The deadline for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Annual Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green (formerly Keep Montgomery County Beautiful)  Landscape Beautification Contest has been extended to June 17. The contest recognizes community groups, businesses, public institutions and other organizations undertaking landscaping projects that enhance the appearance of commonly owned sections of commercial or residential properties in Montgomery County. Landscaping along County roadsides, medians, or other public locations is also eligible for the award. 

Landscapes should emphasize environmentally sensitive plantings that eschew non-native and invasive species, help reduce stormwater runoff, minimize water use, provide wildlife habitat, and keep pesticides and fertilizers out of local streams.

First Place winner for 2015 in Montgomery County BY DAY category.

MCDOT is also accepting applications for its Annual Amateur Photography competition through July 1. 

Read more about both contests.

Look at previous year's winners.

MCDOT Accepting Applications for Landscaping and Photography Competitions

Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is accepting applications for its 30th Annual Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green (formerly Keep Montgomery County Beautiful) Landscaping and 25th Annual Amateur Photography competitions. 

The focus of the Landscape Beautification Contest has changed to emphasize environmentally sensitive plantings that eschew non-native and invasive species, help reduce stormwater runoff, minimize water use, provide wildlife habitat, and keep pesticides and fertilizers out of local streams. The contest is open to community groups, businesses, public institutions and other organizations undertaking landscaping projects that enhance the appearance of commonly owned sections of commercial or residential properties in Montgomery County.  Landscaping along County roadsides, medians, or other public locations is also eligible for the award. Applications are due June 2.  

For the Amateur Photography Contest highlights the beauty of Montgomery County. Photos of County locations or residents are judged on effective composition, originality, interest and relevance of the subject matter, and technique.  Subject categories include Montgomery County by day or by night, County landmarks, people, and persons at work.  There is also an optional Youth category for aspiring photographers age 18 and younger who wish to be judged only against their peers. Applications are due July 1.

MCDOT’s Community Outreach website will post photos of last year’s winning entries for both contests after they are announced at GreenFest on Saturday, April 30.  The Landscaping and Photography contest applications explain the guidelines and judging criteria.

For more information, call Community Outreach at 240-777-7155 or email mcdot.outreach@montgomerycountymd.gov to request a nomination form either by mail or electronically.

Street Teams Plan More Pedestrian Safety Education Events in November

With fewer hours of daylight, fall and winter are the times of the year that are the most dangerous for pedestrians as people may be traveling in the dark during both the morning and evening rush hours. It is vitally important for drivers to watch out for pedestrians and for pedestrians to make themselves visible. Pedestrians can do this by wearing bright or reflective clothing, walking in well-lit areas, and carrying a flashlight.

To spread the word about pedestrian safety, Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Initiative teams are talking to pedestrians and distributing safety tips, reflective bags and zipper pulls at the following locations in November:

November 2:   Blair High School Outreach (2:30 to 3:30 p.m.)                    

November 4:   Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments StreetSmart Street Team, Silver  Spring Transit Center

November 7:   Fresh Market, Congressional Plaza near Halpine Road (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

November 9:   Bethesda Street Team (4 to 7 p.m.)                           

November 12: Wheaton Metro Street Team (4 to 7 p.m.)                 

November 14: Tentative - Bethesda Trader Joes (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

November 17: Silver Spring Street Team (4 to 7 p.m.)

MCDOT Sponsors Annual Litter Clean Up for Community Service Day

On October 24, MCDOT employees and community members participated in the annual “Dirty Roads and Delis” litter clean up. Staff selects a neighborhood around a deli that needs help with litter collection, and then pitch in to improve the appearance of the community. Removing trash also keeps it out of the County’s streams, improving water quality.

This year’s event was held at the Woodside Deli on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Volunteers collected dozens of bags of trash from along Georgia Avenue, the alleys behind some commercial properties, and the close by residential neighborhood. 

MCDOT Promotes More Visible Zombies in Silver Spring

This month, MCDOT’s Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations has organized teams to spread the word about pedestrian safety at many events in Bethesda and Silver Spring. The most recent was the Silver Spring Zombie Walk that was held on October 24. Team members with billboard backpacks interacted with pedestrians, handed out glow sticks and promoted pedestrian safety and increased visibility. They encouraged safe practices, such as wearing bright or reflective clothing at night, using the crosswalk at all times and looking both ways before crossing the street.       

Law enforcement officers made sure that people were using crosswalks and following traffic safety laws. 

See event photos on Flickr.

It’s Not Too Late to Submit a Photo for MCDOT’s Annual Photography Competition; Application Due Date Extended to July 31

The County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has extended the application due date for its annual Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) photography competition.

For the 24th Annual Amateur Photography Contest, photos of County locations or residents are judged on effective composition, originality, interest and relevance of the subject matter, and technique. Categories include Montgomery County by day or by night, County landmarks, people, and persons at work. There is also an optional youth category for aspiring photographers age 18 and younger who wish to be judged only against their peers.

Visit MCDOT’s Community Outreach website to obtain the photography contest application.

For more information call MCDOT’s Community Outreach office at 240-777-7155 or email mcdot.outreach@montgomerycountymd.gov to request an application form either by mail or electronically.

First Place Winners from 2014:

MCDOT Accepting Nominations for Landscaping and Photography Competitions; Applications Due June 20

The County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is accepting applications for its annual Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) Landscaping and Photography competitions.

The 28th Annual Landscape Contest is open to community groups, businesses, public institutions and other organizations undertaking landscaping projects that enhance the appearance of commonly owned sections of commercial or residential properties in the County.

For the 23rd Annual Amateur Photography Contest, photos of County locations or residents are judged on effective composition, originality, interest and relevance of the subject matter and technique. Subject categories include Montgomery County by day or by night, County landmarks, people and persons at work. An optional Youth category is also available for aspiring photographers ages 18 and younger who want to be judged only against their peers.

Applications for both contests are due June 20.

Visit MCDOT’s Community Outreach website for the landscaping and photography contest applications, contest guidelines and judging criteria, as well as photos of last year’s winning entries for both contests.

For more information, call MCDOT’s Community Outreach office at 240-777-7155 or email mcdot.outreach@montgomerycountymd.gov to request an application form either by mail or electronically.