Purple Line-Related Utility Work to Begin in April in Downtown Bethesda; Washington Gas Must Replace a Gas Line Before Construction of the Bethesda Metro Station South Entrance

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will begin a project on April 11 on behalf of Montgomery County to relocate utilities in preparation for construction of a new, ADA accessible Bethesda Metrorail Station South Entrance located at the intersection of Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue. The Bethesda Metrorail Station South Entrance will eventually connect to MTA’s Purple Line Bethesda station. Funded by the County, and ultimately owned and operated by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, these utility relocations represent the first stage of about a six year coordinated construction effort. Read more. 

Commuter Services to Host FREE Webinar on Transit Benefits

MCDOT's Commuter Services will host a webinar on setting up a transit benefits program on April 7 at 10 a.m. Transit benefits can help companies attract and retain their best employees and save both employers and employees money. Based on recent legislation, employers can now offer up to $255 a month in benefits.

Wendy Dampier, Channel Partner Relationship Manager with Benefits Strategies, LLC, will provide information on the tax savings for employers and employees, describe the different options available, and explain how to set up these accounts.

Guest speakers also include Kristina Bugby, Communication Specialist, Barwood; Gemma Grey, Program Manager, Barwood; and Joanie Garvey, HR Generalist/Payroll Coordinator, Toole Design.

To join the webinar from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, use the following link (https://www.gotomeet.me/MCDOT. Once on the page, click the “Join my meeting” button.

Or, dial in by calling:

United States +1 (408) 650-3123

Access Code: 844-378-285

Additional information is available by contacting Michelle Golden or 240-777-8386.

Get Your Bike Ready for Bike to Work Day

With winter waning, pedal-powered mobility options are kicking into high gear. Bike to Work Day 2016 will be held Friday, May 20. It’s not too early to register online for this fun, annual event online.

Here’s some ways to participate:

• Bike and Ride: Combine bicycling with a convenient connector trip on Ride On or Metrobus. All buses have easy-to-use bike racks mounted over their bumper. Check out these tips on using your bike with RideOn and/or with Metrobus and Metrorail.
• Bikesharing: If commuting from home to work isn't a realistic option for you, there’s another option. Enjoy biking for a work break, exercise or to run errands thanks to a growing number of Capital Bikeshare stations around the County. The latest addition was a new station at the Medical Center Metro in Bethesda. Using Bikeshare is easy, too. Check out this video.

Anytime you bike, be sure to bike smartly. Bicyclists and motorists share the road, so show each other mutual respect and be alert to traffic signals and lane changes. Read more about Maryland’s road laws and safety tips for cyclists and drivers and Montgomery County's Bikeways Program, including the location of the County’s new 'bikefixtations'.

Montgomery County Named 2015 Tree City USA for 20th Consecutive Year

In recognition of its commitment to effective urban forest management, Montgomery County has been named a 2015 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.

The County earned the recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements of having a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, and is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year.

County Executive Ike Leggett said, “I am proud that Montgomery County is also celebrating an anniversary – 20 years of being selected as a Tree City USA. As our population continues to grow, ensuring that we maintain the trees we have and plant even more is critical to the health of our environment. Trees reduce air and water pollution, help fight climate change, provide wildlife habitat, reduce home cooling requirements and greatly enhance our community’s quality of life. Montgomery County is committed to protecting our tree canopy for current and future generations.”

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

Montgomery County has a Forest Preservation Strategy and a number of laws designed to protect and increase the number of County trees. A 2014 Tree Canopy Law requires property owners to plant new trees during development to help offset impacts on the natural environment.

More information about the County’s tree laws and programs is available online.

To learn more about the Tree City USA program, visit the Arbor Day Foundation website.

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.

Update on Maryland Route 195 Bridge Construction

SHA is rehabilitating the Maryland Route 195 bridge over Sligo Creek and Sligo Creek Parkway. From March 28 through April 8, Sligo Creek Parkway, from Maple Avenue to Jackson Street will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. All traffic will be detoured. Parkway users are encouraged to seek alternate routes. Read more about the project.

Montgomery County Celebrates the 10-Year Anniversary of the Watershed Trash Treaty at the Transforming Communities Summit

In March, County Executive Ike Leggett participated as a keynote lunch speaker at the Transforming Communities:Trash-Free Solutions for Healthy Lives, Clean Land, Safe Water Summit sponsored by the Alice Ferguson Foundation. This summit marked the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Potomac River Watershed Trash Treaty, an agreement between regional leaders, businesses and governments who are committed to working towards a cleaner community. 

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, Montgomery County Executive, Ike Leggett, Tommy Wells on behalf of District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and Lori Arguelles, Executive Director of the Alice Ferguson Foundation. 

Joining Leggett was Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, Tommy Wells on behalf of District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and other community leaders who shared policy and community outreach successes over the past decade as well as actions for the future. A closing panel discussion included Lisa Feldt, Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection; Tommy Wells, Director of the District Department of Energy & Environment; and Adam Ortiz, Director of the Department of the Environment for Prince George's County. The event opened with a photographic journey along the Anacostia River from the lens of award-winning photographer and author Krista Schlyer.

“I am very proud of the innovative work Montgomery County does to keep our community trash-free and our streams and waterways clean including banning Styrofoam and promoting the importance of reusable bags,” said Leggett. “Trash hurts our neighborhoods and streams, blocks our storm drains causing our streets and basements to flood, carries impurities into our drinking water supplies and destroys our water habitat.”

“We are working on a number of initiatives, including reducing trash in the Anacostia watershed and collaborating with our neighboring jurisdictions to implement innovative and sustainable approaches to improve our streams and address our environmental challenges,” said Feldt. “DEP has embraced our leadership role to work to protect our natural resources and reduce as much waste as possible.”

The Potomac River Watershed Trash Treaty identified the impact of trash on the quality of life in communities around the region, including the Anacostia River, which is a shared waterway. It is estimated that the storm water management practices implemented in the Montgomery County portion of the Anacostia River capture over 11,000 pounds of trash each year.

Montgomery County is recognized, regionally and nationally, as a leader of environmental stewardship. Recent legislation has included the 2012 carryout bag law requiring retailers to charge five cents per bag to deter the use of disposable bags and the passing of Bill 41-14, commonly known as the “Styrofoam ban” to ban the use ofnon-recyclable Styrofoam in the County.