Leggett Celebrates Bike to Work Day by Offering Employees Discounted Capital Bikeshare Memberships

In celebration of Bike to Work Day on May 16, County Executive Ike Leggett announced that the County will offer employees a steep discount for a limited time on a Capital Bikeshare membership. To encourage its employees to become members, Montgomery County has become a silver-level corporate partner of Capital Bikeshare, entitling employees to purchase memberships at the reduced rate of $25. The offer is available to eligible employees until June 30. Members will be responsible for usage fees for trips lasting longer than 30 minutes. Individual Capital Bikeshare memberships cost $75 a year. Leggett also encouraged other employers and organizations in the County to become a corporate, hotel or community partner of Capital Bikeshare.

Leggett also released data on the County’s Capital Bikeshare usage in April, showing that it nearly doubled compared to March. The number of trips originating in Montgomery County grew from 1,630 in March to 3,182 in April, an increase of 95 percent. The total number of trips since the program began in September 2013 through April 2014 is 11,533.

The County’s bikeshare program now has 49 stations. Two more stations will be added upon arrival of additional station equipment.

On May 14, the State Board of Public Works approved $250,000 for purchase and construction of five additional Capital Bikeshare DownCounty stations. The funds were allocated to the County through a General Assembly Bond Bill passed in 2012. Bill sponsors were Senators Brian Frosh, Richard Madaleno and Jamie Raskin and Delegates Al Carr, William Frick, Ana Sol Gutierrez, Sheila Hixson, Tom Hucker, Ariana Kelly, Susan Lee, Eric Luedtke, Heather Mizeur and Jeff Waldstreicher.

A map of the County’s stations and more information on the regional Capital Bikeshare system are available at www.capitalbikeshare.com. For information on corporate Bikeshare memberships, eligibility for free memberships and program benefits available for low-income, reverse commuters and job trainees, contact Montgomery County Commuter Services at 240-777-8380 or email mcdot.CommuterServices@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Montgomery County Celebrated Bike to School Day May 7

Montgomery County joined communities across the nation to celebrate the third annual Bike to School Day. The event builds on the success of Walk to School Day observed internationally every October.

Bike to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for bicycling and walking and emphasize a) the importance of increasing physical activity among children, b) pedestrian safety, c) reducing traffic congestion and d) concern for the environment. The events also develop stronger connections between families, schools and the broader community.

This year’s focus event was held at Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring and included the following activities: 

• Bike ambassadors and parent volunteers welcomed students and guided them to use “bike lanes” created on sidewalks leading to the school’s main entrance. 
• Bikers received snacks and raffle tickets for bike helmets and accessories. 
• Morning physical education classes engaged students in a “Bike-Academic” game show designed to highlight bicycling best practices. 

Partners in the event included Takoma Park Safe Routes to School, Takoma Park Middle School, Takoma Park Police, Bikes for the World, SafeKids Worldwide and SafeKids Montgomery County.

Other County schools participating in Bike to School Day included Piney Branch, East Silver Spring, Coldspring, Wyngate and Kensington-Parkwood elementary schools as well as Silver Spring International Middle School.

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.

Leggett Recommends Post-Annapolis Budget Amendments that Significantly Enhance Road Maintenance Funds

On April 28, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett submitted recommended adjustments to the FY15 Operating and Capital Budgets to the County Council using funds set aside in March to address the uncertainty about State legislative actions. Along with other items, Leggett recommended adding $9.3 million for additional road maintenance and improvements.

Leggett has made road maintenance and resurfacing a priority of his administration over the last eight years. Compared to the prior eight years, his budgets have included $67 million – an increase of 80 percent – for arterial and primary road maintenance and $138 million – a 676 percent increase for residential and rural roads.

Highlights of other key transportation-related recommendations in the budget amendment will:

• Add $18.5 million for Purple Line related projects at Bethesda Station South, Capital Crescent Trail, and the Silver Spring Green Trail; 
• Fund replacement of the Lyttonsville Place Bridge concrete deck; and 
• Add community grants to support senior transportation, behavioral health outreach and education, youth leadership programs and workplace excellence. 

Leggett is also continuing to hold in reserve funds for storm cleanup should Montgomery County experience severe weather this spring. More details on the overall budget request is available online.

MCDOT’s Pothole Blitz in April Repairs More Than 3,000 Potholes

For two weeks in April, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation Division of Highway Services (DHS) conducted an intensive effort to fill the County’s potholes. DHS devoted about 60 percent of its resources to filling potholes and replacing damaged road sections. Although DHS repairs potholes every day of the year except during rain and snow, the severe winter took a particularly tough toll on County roads.

During February’s brief warm spell, DHS conducted the first pothole blitz, filling 2,600 potholes.

DHS relies on resident reports of potholes and repair crews also stop to fill any other potholes encountered as they make their rounds. Residents can report potholes online or call the MC311 Call Center at 311, 240-777-0311 or TTY, 301-251-4850, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers are asked to be cautious and patient when encountering crews filling potholes.

Refresh Montgomery Cleans Up County Roads During Earth Month

In April, the Division of Highway Services (DHS) kicked off its annual “Refresh Montgomery” program – an annual, two week, countywide litter pickup that focuses on areas with the most trash.

DHS’ efforts this year were supplemented by almost 400 volunteer groups under the Adopt A Road program who conduct roadside cleaning on a monthly basis. During March and April, volunteers conducted 85 clean ups and removed 643 bags (30 to 50 gallons each) of trash and debris from roadways.

MCDOT Resumes Full Schedule of Road Maintenance Projects as Warm Weather Finally Returns

The Division of Highway Services ramped up its seasonal road maintenance projects that use hot mix asphalt for resurfacing. Projects listed below (unless otherwise noted) are expected to take four to six weeks, weather permitting, with construction occurring between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Talley Lane and Talley Court in Darnestown began in mid-April. 
• Ganley Road in Barnesville began in early April. 
• Chapel Road in Potomac began in early April. 
• Silver Brook Drive in Rockville began in early April. 
• Briars Acres neighborhood in Olney began in late April. 
• Gunners Lake and Gunners View neighborhoods in Germantown began in late April. 
• Quince Orchard Road in Darnestown will begin in mid-May. The project is expected to take about five weeks, weather permitting, with construction occurring between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Pavement preservation projects also began. These efforts include full depth patching in portions of the pavement that have deteriorated, sealing cracks and applying a micro-resurfacing material.

• Peach Tree Road in Barnesville was repaired in early April. Resurfacing of the road will occur later in the season. 

Crews make concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs to replace defective sections of curbs or sidewalks; ensure structural integrity and proper drainage; and remove tripping hazards. Residents can take advantage of discounts for concrete work under the driveway apron and entrance walkway repair program. Upcoming projects include:

• Kensington Heights in Kensington began in early April. The project is expected to take about eight weeks, weather permitting, with construction occurring between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. 
• 14104 Glen Mill Road in Rockville was completed in April with installation of 230 linear feet of concrete curb and gutter. In addition, DHS trimmed and/or removed vegetation encroaching on the east side sidewalk. 
• Parkside subdivision in North Bethesda received new curbs and gutters in March. 

More information on resurfacing projects throughout the County is available on the Division of Highway Services’ website or by calling 311 (TTY, call 301-251-4850), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.