Applicants Sought for Greater Shady Grove Transportation Management District Advisory Committee

County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on the Greater Shady Grove Transportation Management District Advisory Committee (GSGTMDAC). The deadline to apply is February 27. The GSGTMDAC advises the County government on all aspects of programs, management and finances relating to the implementation of transportation demand management in the GSGTMD and vicinity. Read more and apply online. 

Ceremony Honors Winners of the Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green Competitions

Ruppert Landscape Company won Award of Excellence for six landscaping projects
throughout Montgomery County. 

MCDOT, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, announced 61 winners of its 30th annual Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green landscape beautification contest. Others honored were 18 amateur photographers and two Adopt A Road program Clean Sweep Award winners. Read more.

MCDOT Completes Protected Bike Lane Along Nebel Street

Crews recently installed new, separated bike lanes along Nebel Street between Randolph and Marinelli roads in Rockville that feature green pavement markings. This is the second protected bike lane installed by MCDOT in Montgomery County – and more are planned. The first one in the County along Woodglen Drive was installed in December 2014 and was also the first suburban protected bike lane in the country.

Public Safety Chiefs Urge Public to “Be Safer this Holiday Season;” Be Safe, Be Seen, Be Responsible

Police Chief Tom Manger and Fire Chief Scott Goldstein urged community members to “Be Safer this Holiday Season,” and to “Be Seen, Be Alert, and Be Responsible.” As of November 24, there have been 33 fatal traffic collisions in Montgomery County in which 34 people lost their lives. 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. One of the major reasons for the increased risk is fewer hours of daylight.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 72 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur in darkness. That’s why everyone is reminded – drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists – to be more alert and obey traffic safety laws.

What should you do to stay safe?

• If you’re driving, slow down and yield to people in crosswalks.
• If you’re biking, obey signs and signals and ride in the direction of traffic.
• If you’re walking, cross in the crosswalk and wait for the walk signal.
• Fines for violating traffic safety laws can range from $40 to $500.

What should drivers do to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe?

• Slow down, obey the speed limit, and watch out for people walking and biking.
• Stop for people in crosswalks.
• Check and recheck for pedestrians, especially before you make a turn.
• Give bicyclists room to ride – allow at least three feet when passing – it’s the law.

What should people be aware of when they are walking from place to place?

• Cross the street at crosswalks and wait for the “walk” signal.
• Watch for turning cars at intersections.
• Make eye contact with drivers before you cross in front of them.
• Wear something bright or reflective when it’s dark outside.

What about bicyclists?

• Be predictable and obey signs and signals.
• Ride in the direction of traffic.
• Wear a helmet and use lights at night.

Safety tips, campaign details and more information about the Street Smart program are available online at BeStreetSmart.net. 

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.)

New Silver Spring Residents Invited to Learn about Major Transportation Projects Planned for their Community

Those new to Silver Spring are invited to attend the next meeting of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board to learn more about future projects that may expand their transit options including the Purple Line Light Rail system and a Bus Rapid Transit system for US 29 and New Hampshire Avenue. The meeting will be held on Monday, November 9, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The transportation discussion is scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m.

Speakers will include MCDOT Rapid Transit System Development Manager Joana Conklin, Maryland Transit Administration Community Outreach Coordinator Mike Madden, Tamika Gauvin with the Maryland Transit Administration, and Transportation Task Force Report Chair Mark Winston.

This is an opportunity for community members who may not be as familiar with these projects, are new to the area, or want to remain informed, to receive an update. The discussion will provide a context for these projects; explain how they relate to each other and other transportation projects, programs, and initiatives; and review how the systems’ will work.

Learn more about the Rapid Transit System, Purple Line and the Transit Task Force. View the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board meeting agenda online.

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. 

Leggett Seeks Applicants for New Greater Shady Grove Transportation Management District Advisory Committee

County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on the newly established Greater Shady Grove Transportation Management District Advisory Committee.  Applications are due September 15. Read more.

MCDOT Acting Director Al Roshdieh Attends GreenFest; States His Mission is to Move People

On March 28, MCDOT Acting Director Al Roshdieh was interviewed by WTOP at the department's GreenFest exhibit. During the interview, Roshdieh discussed the County's plans for a rapid transit system and the progress that has been made on expanding alternative transportation, including Bikeshare and pedestrian access and safety. Roshdieh said, "My mission is to move people, not cars".  Read the full story. 

Transit Task Force Presents Recommendations to County Executive

The Montgomery County Transit Task Force presented its recommendations to County Executive Isiah Leggett for establishing a 160-mile, innovative, “best-in-class” rapid transit system that creates a comprehensive transit network. The Task Force is recommending that the system be built in three phases over the next nine to 20 years to mitigate both construction and affordability issues. Leggett created the Transit Task Force in February 2011 and appointed the members of the public/private partnership. 

The proposed rapid transit system uses vehicles that will operate like “light rail on rubber tires.” To the maximum extent possible, the network would have separate, dedicated lanes, with an emphasis on creating a network with both north-south and east-west connections. The report states that a rapid transit network is essential if the County wants to achieve its smart growth vision and successfully compete for its fair share of the projected job growth in the region.

Highlights of the Task Force recommendations, a statement by Leggett and the Task Force’s full report (click on Final Report) are available online.