Go Montgomery! April 26, 2019

MCDOT Unveils Ride On Flex, a Planned Microtransit Pilot Program at Open House On Thursday, April 25, MCDOT introduced plans for a pilot program to test a new, on-demand transit option in the Rockville, Glenmont and Wheaton service areas. Riders will be able to request trips from a designated pick up and drop off location using an app on their mobile phones.  Read more. Guaranteed Glenstone Museum Entry for Ride On Users Extended Indefinitely Ride On Route 301 service was hailed as a win/win for the county and the museum at yesterday’s opening of the Glenstone Museum Environmental Center. No advance museum reservations are required for users of the Route 301 service, which offers service four times between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. from the Rockville Metro Station. Return to the Station throughout the day until 6:06 p.m. Plan your museum visit. Ride On’s Got a Brand New Look One of Ride On’s brand new buses rolled into Rockville yesterday for the launch of the annual “Give and Ride Week,” a partnership with Manna Food Center to help restock its shelves. County Executive Marc Elrich, DOT’s Al Roshdieh, Councilmember Sidney Katz and Manna Food Center’s Jackie DeCarlo were on hand. Be Sure to Stop by MCDOT’s Booth at this Sunday’s GreenFest On April 28, MCDOT will have a large booth at this year’s GreenFest with fun kids activities, information about the department’s newest services and lots more about its green initiatives. Before catching the shuttle, visit MCDOT’s mobile Commuter Store at the Glenmont Metro Station. Learn more about GreenFest. MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh Featured on Kojo Nnamdi Show in Discussion of the Future of Transit On the popular WAMU 88.5 broadcast, MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh joined other area transportation leaders in a discussion of the future role of bus service and public transit in helping to solve the region’s transportation challenges. Listen. Don’t Drive Impaired on Cinco de Mayo – Use SoberRide® For a Free Ride Home Between Sunday, May 5 at 4 p.m. and Monday, May 6 at 4 a.m., the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is offering up to $15 off a Lyft ride home to 1,500 passengers. Learn more. Update on the White Flint Project MCDOT is creating a new vision for the White Flint District that improves sidewalks, bikeways, trails, paths, public use spaces, parks and recreational facilities; adds mixed-use development and enhanced streetscapes; and facilitates transit-oriented development around the Metro station. Learn more about the project and recent activities. Council Votes to Adopt Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan That Improves Transportation Safety and Connectivity The Montgomery County Council approved a new plan for Veirs Mill that focuses on improved safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and motorists; compatibility with adjoining land uses; potential redevelopment opportunities and improved connectivity. Read more. Handy Guide Helps Demystify the County’s Development Review Process  The Montgomery Planning Department has a handy guide for applicants and neighbors that describes how the department, landowners and community members work together to review plans for new development. Transportation Today Article: Public Transit Ridership Increase in 2018 Outpaced Population Growth Since 1995, public transit ridership has grown by 27 percent — surpassing U.S. population growth, which has been reported at around 23 percent. Public transportation is consistently traveling more miles, with more people, even in spite of slight year-to-year dips, as between 2017 and 2018, which saw a two percent public transit ridership decrease. Read more. April 26, 2019 Subscribe to Go Montgomery! To receive MCDOT’s latest news in your inbox or on your phone subscribe here. Participate in MCDOT’s Annual Give and Ride Campaign to Help Feed Area’s Neediest Families Ride On bus passengers can help needy families and ride free by donating canned or nonperishable food during MCDOT’s 32nd annual “Give and Ride” food drive next week. Not a Ride On passenger? You can still donate to help Manna Food feed the hungry. Read more. Update on Residential Road Repairs Plantations Subdivision Resurfacing Project,Damascus Schaeffer Road Subdivision Project, Poolesville Musgrove Road Paving Project, Silver Spring Wilson Lane Concrete Repair/Replacement Project, Bethesda Check Out MCDOT's Don’t be Distracted Creative Contest Winners! We are pleased to announce the student winners of our Don't be Distracted Creative Contest. Many thanks to all those that submitted works of art and public service announcement (PSA) videos to help prevent distracted walking and driving and for helping making the contest a success. MCDOT Wants to Hear From You: Take Ride On’s Website Usability Survey To help provide better transit information, Ride On has put together a short, eight-question survey to get input from our passengers. Take the survey. Update on Wheaton Revitalization Project Construction of the 10th floor of the office building is well underway. Rough grading of the Town Plaza is complete and installation of a storm drain from Veirs Mill Road to Reedie Drive through the Town Plaza is in progress. Check the onsite camera online. www.wheatonproject.com

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

Go Montgomery! April 10, 2019

MCDOT to Host Public Forum on April 25 to Introduce Plans for Microtransit Pilot Project The public is invited to provide input on a MCDOT plan to test a new transit option in the Rockville, Glenmont and Wheaton areas. Riders will be able to request trips to and from “virtual bus stops” using an app on their mobile phones. Read more.  Participate in Ride On’s Annual Give and Ride Campaign to Help Feed Area’s Neediest Families Ride On bus passengers can help needy families and ride free by donating canned or nonperishable food during MCDOT’s 32nd annual “Give and Ride” food drive. Ride On will collect donations from Sunday, April 28 through Saturday, May 4. Not a Ride On passenger? You can still donate to help Manna Food feed the hungry. Read more. MCDOT’s Green Transportation Initiatives in County’s Annual Progress Report on Sustainability Montgomery County’s Department of General Services has released the fiscal year 2018 Montgomery County Green Government Report that highlights MCDOT’s sustainable efforts, including enhancing bicycle mobility, bus commuting and smart parking. See report.  Metrorail Turnbacks at Silver Spring Will End in June It’s official: the upcoming elimination of Red Line turnbacks on July 1 will mean that half of the peak hour morning and afternoon trains leaving Washington, D.C. towards the Glenmont Station will no longer turn around at Silver Spring. Read more. MCDOT to Sponsor Six Pit Stops in Celebration of ‘Bike to Work Day’ on Friday, May 17 Join bicyclists around the region at one of Montgomery County’s 16 “Bike to Work Day” pit stops. The annual event is free and the first 20,000 to register and participate will receive a free T-shirt. Get free refreshments at the pit stops and enter a raffle to win a new bicycle. Learn more. MCDOT to Participate in County’s Annual GreenFest Celebration On April 28, be sure to stop by MCDOT’s two GreenFest locations to learn more about the department’s green initiatives. This year’s free event will be held at Brookside Gardens and MCDOT will be providing transportation from the Glenmont Metro Station. GreenFest offers something for everyone -- a green craft fair; native plant sale; community art project; fun, family activities; an interactive electric car display; live music and food trucks. www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org Montgomery Residents Can Learn More—and Make Comments—About Maryland DOT/State Highway Administration Proposed Alternatives for I-495 and I-270 at April Workshops The Maryland Department of Transportation and the State Highway Administration will be holding three public workshops in Montgomery County about proposed alternatives to expand I-495 and I-270. Learn more. Update on MCDOT White Flint Transportation Infrastructure Project to Enhance Smart Growth Utility infrastructure relocation and construction is winding down and expected to be completed in early spring. Over the next two weeks, construction will affect parking on both sides of Towne Road and result in lane closures on Old Georgetown Road and Executive Boulevard. Learn more. Construction Update for US29 Flash Preparations are nearly complete for concrete sidewalk and bus platforms on both the northbound and southbound sides of US 29 at Tech Road. This week, advance warning traffic signs will be installed prior to construction on Stewart Lane at April Lane. Next week, concrete placement, stormwater facility construction, and underground electrical work will begin. Follow project progress on Twitter at #US29FLASH. Celebrate and Participate in Earth Month This year, Earth Day will be celebrated on Monday, April 22 to demonstrate and promote environmental awareness. Montgomery County has embraced environmental stewardship as a fundamental responsibility to preserve and sustain the planet. View events and programs. Celebrate Opening Day for Trails on Saturday, April 13 with the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail (CCCT) To help promote safety on the trail, CCCT board members will be at the River Road overpass area (now known as "Neal Potter Plaza") on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to install free bike bells for those with a bike and hand out whistles for walkers. This event will take place along the Capital Crescent Trail where it intersects with the Washington Episcopal School parking lot on Landy Lane, just off River Road. Read more. April 10, 2019 Subscribe to Go Montgomery! To receive MCDOT’s latest news in your inbox or on your phone subscribe here. Update on Residential Road Repairs Germantown Estates Subdivision Resurfacing Project, Germantown  Schaeffer Road Subdivision Paving Project, Boyds Blair Phase III Concrete Work, Silver Spring Potomac Ridge Subdivision Concrete Work, North Potomac April is ‘National Distracted Driving Month’  The National Safety Council is raising awareness of the dangers that inattentive drivers pose to themselves and others. Read more. Join a Guided Community Bike Ride in May or June MCDOT and the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) are co-sponsoring three community bike rides for riders of all experience levels. Learn urban riding techniques, practice riding in the city and meet other bikers. Registration is free for Capital Bikeshare members and $10 for all others. Learn more. MCDOT to Co-Sponsor Adult Learn to Ride Cycle Classes with WABA If you’re feeling less than confident about hopping on a bike, one of these classes may be for you! MCDOT and the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) have teamed up to offer these May and June classes for adults who want to enjoy biking for recreation, fitness or commuting. Learn more. Update on Wheaton Revitalization Project The project is about 60 percent complete. Construction of the ninth floor of the office building has begun. Concrete work has been completed for floors one through eight. Rough grading is complete for the Town Plaza. Follow project progress via the onsite camera. www.wheatonproject.com

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

Go Montgomery! March 22, 2019

Free WiFi Now Available on All Ride On Buses No login required! On any Ride On bus, riders can simply check available networks and connect to GetOnTheBus for free WiFi during their ride. Learn more. MDOT SHA To Hold Six Public Workshops on Alternatives for the I-495 & I-270 Managed Lanes Study in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will hold its next round of public workshops in April to obtain additional public input on possible improvements along two of the state’s most congested highways. Three sessions will be held in Montgomery County on April 13, 24 and 25. Learn more. County Council, Executive Challenge State on I-270 and Beltway Widening Priorities  (from Bethesda Beat, March 3, 2019) Montgomery County leaders are pressing the state to shift priorities for widening Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway to place more emphasis on easing congestion between Bethesda and Frederick on I-270. Read more. Elrich's County Budget Includes Funding for FLASH Service and 10 New Electric Ride On Buses in FY20.  In unveiling his Recommended Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget, County Executive Marc Elrich signaled strong support for key transportation initiatives that will deliver easier—and greener—commutes for many Montgomery County residents. Learn more.  Capital Bikeshare to Begin Providing 500 Electric Bikes Across the D.C. Area Over the next few weeks, Capital Bikeshare will be adding 500 e-bikes to its fleet throughout the region. About 65 of those e-bikes are expected to be available in Montgomery County, mainly around Metro stations. Read more. Metro Board of Directors’ Finance and Capital Committee Voted to End ‘Silver Spring Turnback’ of Red Line Trains; Final Action Expected March 28 Currently, half of all trains on the eastern portion of the Red Line turn around at Silver Spring and head back to the District of Columbia rather than going all the way to Glenmont, posing a significant inconvenience to Montgomery County riders. County officials had advocated for elimination of the Silver Spring turnbacks after the recent approval to end the Grosvenor turnbacks. Read more. It’s Not Too Early to Register for Bike to Work Day MCDOT’s Commuter Services will be sponsoring six of the County’s pit stops on Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 17. The annual regional event celebrates bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work. Be one of the first 20,000 to register and attend this free event to receive a free T-shirt, refreshments, and be entered into a raffle for a new bicycle. Learn more and register online.  MCDOT Continues Construction on Phase 1 of White Flint Project The White Flint project will improve sidewalks and bikeways, and enhance the streetscape and transit-oriented development around the Metro station. Phase 1 construction is coming to a close. Learn more. Construction Continues on US 29 FLASH Construction on US 29 FLASH began this week at Burtonsville Park and Ride, where several parking spaces are unavailable as demolition commences for a new bus platform. Work continues at the Briggs Chaney Park & Ride lot, Tech Road North and Southbound, and April Lane stations. Visit www.flashbrt.com/us29/ to learn more. MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Sidewalk Project Planned for Bethesda  MCDOT invites residents to attend a public hearing on Wednesday, April 24 to provide comments concerning construction of a sidewalk in the Stratton Woods Community for safer travel to schools and nearby facilities. Read more. Temporary Closure of Rock Creek Trail for Bridge Demolition Beginning on or about March 26th, a segment of the Rock Creek Park Trail will be closed for two weeks to safely demolish the Rock Creek Bridge. Learn more. Celebrate Opening Day for Trails on Saturday, April 13 with the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail (CCCT)   To help promote safety on the trail, CCCT board members will be at the River Road overpass area (now known as "Neal Potter Plaza") on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to install free bike bells for those with a bike and hand out whistles for walkers. This event will take place along the Capital Crescent Trail where it intersects with the Washington Episcopal School parking lot on Landy Lane, just off River Road. Read More. Celebrate National Walking Day on April 3 Need an excuse to get walking? Join people across the country and get moving on National Walking Day, sponsored by The American Heart Association. Get health benefits while reconnecting with family and friends. Learn more. March 22, 2019 Update on Residential Road Repairs MCDOT’s Highway Services is busily completing road repair projects for the following areas: Metz Drive Subdivision, Germantown Grist Mill Subdivision, Rockville Musgrove Road, Silver Spring Wilson Lane, Bethesda Bedfordshire Subdivision, Potomac Merrimac Park Subdivision, Bethesda Drews Court, Potomac Bel Pre Woods, Rockville Sunnymeade Subdivision, Brookeville Southlawn Lane and East Gude Drive, Rockville  Participate in MCDOT's “Give and Ride” April 28 - May 4 and Help Feed the Area’s Neediest Families Ride On bus passengers can help needy families and ride free by donating canned or nonperishable food during our 32nd annual “Give and Ride” food drive. Donations go to Manna Food Center. Don’t take Ride On? You can still donate. Read more.  Bike-2 College Day is April 10th MCDOT’s Commuter Services, Montgomery College and The Universities at Shady Grove have teamed up to host this event to encourage biking to and around college campuses. Students, faculty and staff can participate in raffles and collect giveaways from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Montgomery College Rockville, Germantown and Takoma Park campuses, and at the Universities at Shady Grove. Learn more. Plan to Visit MCDOT’s Booth at GreenFest on Sunday, April 28 MCDOT’s green initiatives will be highlighted at this year’s GreenFest, the County's premiere environmental festival. The free event will feature fun activities for the whole family, including  tree-climbing, music and exhibitors. Learn more. Update on the Wheaton Revitalization Project Installation of electrical equipment, block masonry, door frames and sprinklers continues on Garage Levels P3, P2, P1, and P0. For the office building, concrete pours are complete on six of the seven floors. Rough-in of mechanicals and piping are underway on the first and second floors. Rough grading is complete and underground storm drain installation has begun for the Town Center. Follow project progress via the onsite camera. wheatonproject.com

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