Go Montgomery! July 20, 2018

Metro Board Approves Eliminating the Grosvenor Turnback Beginning December 2018 For several years, MCDOT has led County efforts to eliminate the turnbacks of Metrorail at the Grosvenor Station. Last week, these efforts succeeded when the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) Board took final action to extend continuous Red Line service to Shady Grove starting December 2018. Read more.  MCDOT Awarded Transportation Alternatives Grant to Design Missing Link in the Forest Glen Road Sidewalk MCDOT has received a $248,000 grant to complete a preliminary design for a sidewalk on the north side of Forest Glen Road in Silver Spring that will close a missing pedestrian gap. The sidewalk will extend from Woodland Drive to Sligo Creek Parkway, providing access to the Forest Glen Metro Station, Forest Glen Medical Center, Holy Cross Hospital, Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park and Sligo Creek Trail. Read more. MCDOT Leads Project to Reduce Streetlight Energy Consumption MCDOT is leading a project that could annually save the County $858,000 by reducing streetlight energy consumption and maintenance costs while taking advantage of a PEPCO energy incentive program that will provide $895,000 towards the effort. If the County Council approves the funding later this month, MCDOT will replace high-pressure sodium lamps in the County’s 26,000 streetlights with energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. Learn more. MCDOT Director Roshdieh Speaks at a Forum on the Future of Downtown Wheaton MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh addressed the audience on July 18 at a Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee forum regarding a vision for the future of downtown Wheaton. MCDOT is leading the Wheaton Revitalization project that is key to future redevelopment. Read more. MCDOT Seeks Public Input on Proposed “NextGen TDM” County Code and Executive Regulations Changes MCDOT held a public open house to discuss proposed changes to the process for implementing multi-modal programs for new development projects and for certain employers. Public comments are being accepted by email online.  Learn more. MCDOT Seeks Federal Funding for VIVA White Oak Transportation Projects To catalyze the redevelopment of VIVA White Oak, the County is seeking $25 million in Federal BUILD grant funding, supported by over $49 million in County-approved matching funds, for master planned transportation and infrastructure projects, including constructing two planned County roads; improving FDA Boulevard; making intersection improvements at US 29 at Industrial Parkway and Tech Road and MD 650 at Lockwood Drive; providing new and more buses for the White Oak Circulator Ride-On Service; constructing the MD 650 Bikeway shared use path; and widening the existing Industrial Parkway to accommodate bike lanes. The US Department of Transportation will make the awards December 18, 2018. View project proposal. Ride On to Hold Public Forum on Proposed New Services for Routes 43, 76 and 90 The public is invited to attend a forum on Wednesday, August 8 in Germantown and provide input on the following enhancements proposed for Ride On bus routes: -New Sunday service on the Route 43-New Saturday service on the Route 76 -New midday service on the Route 90 Written comments will be accepted through August 5. Read more. dataMontgomery Publishes New Transportation-Related Datasets During 2018, dataMontgomery published new datasets on road closures and crash incidents that are available to the public. The dataMontgomery program provides the public with the opportunity to review and analyze County information and recently released its Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report. See the full report online. Four-Week, Single Lane Closure on Rockville Pike Continues   Through Friday, August 3, one southbound lane on Rockville Pike will be closed to traffic between National Institutes of Health Gateway Drive and Woodmont Avenue, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather and work conditions permitting. During the lane closure, sidewalks and storm sewers will be reconstructed where roadway and pedestrian improvements were completed.  Keep Up to Date on Purple Line Construction Activities The Maryland Transit Administration website lists the latest construction activities planned throughout the Purple Line work zone. View ongoing projects online.  State to Hold Public Workshops on Easing Beltway/I-270 Congestion State transportation officials will host a workshop for the Bethesda community on plans to ease congestion along I-495 and I-270 on Wednesday, July 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School. Or, view a virtual workshop and information about alternatives, or make comments online. Two Red Line Metrorail Stations to Close from Saturday, July 21 to Monday, September 3: Closures to Extend to Takoma Station on July 28 and 29 Metro track work will require the closure of two Metrorail stations - Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations - from July 21 through September 3. There will be no Red Line service between the Fort Totten and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations.  On July 28 and 29 only, the Takoma Station will also be closed. MCDOT is helping to publicize the closures and selling MARC Train tickets at our Silver Spring TRiPs Store and Mobile Commuter Store. Read more. July 20, 2018 MCDOT to Hold Annual PARK(ing) Day Celebration on September 21 MCDOT is encouraging artists, planners, businesses, organizations, groups and individuals to participate in International PARK(ing) Day on September 21 by temporarily transforming a metered parking space into a fun, parklike spot. Businesses, organizations and non-profits are encouraged to promote their services. See website for more information and to apply.  Spring Cameron Garage Closes Up to 75 Spaces Until Mid-September to Make Repairs During a routine inspection of the garage at 8700 Cameron Street, Silver Spring, MCDOT staff noticed signs of possible structural weakness in one area. An in-depth evaluation will be conducted and, as a precaution, a portion of the garage has been closed to the public. The remaining 825 spaces in the garage are safe to use. Read more.  Customer Compliments Ride On Driver One of MCDOT’s top priorities is providing great customer service, and it’s always nice to hear that our staff is doing a great job. Recently, Ride On received the following compliment about bus operator Kevin Shelton: “He is always punctual, friendly, upbeat and has an excellent attitude. After a long day at work, it's refreshing to encounter someone with such a positive attitude on my commute home. He is friendly to passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians, always giving others the right of way and making sure safety is a priority. I would like to extend my thank you to him for making my day brighter on my commute home.”  Update on Wheaton Revitalization Project Progress continues with concrete pours for the building foundation and the bottommost level of the garage. Also underway is waterproofing of the outside face of the vertical walls and underground Pepco utility work along Grandview Avenue and Ennalls Avenue. View the live camera feed online. Progress on Wheaton Revitalization Project Concrete Pours

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Go Montgomery! June 29, 2018

Four More MCDOT Parking Facilities Now Have Electric Vehicle Charging Stations MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management has installed electric vehicle charging stations in three more Bethesda garages and a parking lot in Silver Spring, bringing the total number of stations in MCDOT parking facilities to 16. The stations have the ability to charge 32 electric vehicles. Read more. Construction to Begin Soon in Downtown Silver Spring to Add More Bike Lanes and the First Protected Intersection on the East Coast MCDOT will soon start construction of a cycle track (separated bike lane) along Second and Wayne avenues from Spring Street to Georgia Avenue, and bike lanes on Cameron Street from Second to Georgia avenues. The lanes are part of a larger network of bike facilities that will enhance bicycle mobility and safety in Silver Spring. The project also includes the first East Coast protected intersection at Spring Street and Second Avenue. Read more.  Two Pay By Phone Payment Options Now Available at All County Parking Meters MCDOT has completed transitioning all County parking meters to accept both Parkmobile and MobileNow! pay-by-phone payment options. Montgomery County is one of the first jurisdictions in the country to expand mobile parking payment to two companies. Read more. WMATA Board Approves Funding to End Red Line Turnbacks, But More Steps Remain The Metro Board voted to provide funding to eliminate the Red Line turnbacks at Grosvenor, extending more Red Line service to Shady Grove. However, a study to assess whether the current infrastructure is adequate to handle the change will be completed in July. MCDOT has lobbied to end the turnbacks for years. Read the Washington Post story. WDVM Story Features MCDOT’s Lookout Program, Which Informs Travelers About New Safety Infrastructure MCDOT’s Gary Erenrich, special assistant to the Director, and Sandra Brecher, Commuter Services Section chief, were recently featured in a WDVM story about a MCDOT education program, “Look Out For Each Other.” Watch full story. Two Montgomery County Employers Recognized by MWCOG Commuter Connections MCDOT’s Commuter Services works closely with employers to promote ‘Better Ways to Work.’ Two of those employers were recently recognized by Commuter Connections at its 21st annual employer Recognition Awards that honored The Donohoe Companies, Bethesda, and IQ Solutions, Rockville. Read more. Leggett Seeks Applicants for Taxicab Services Commission County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill one vacancy on the Taxicab Services Commission for a public member who must represent people with disabilities. The deadline to apply is July 13.  Read more and apply online. MCDOT BRT Staff Featured at National Conference MCDOT's Darcy Buckley made two presentations this week at the National Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Conference, discussing Montgomery County's public participation process for BRT projects and the development of BRT station prototypes. Learn more on BRT.  SoberRide Offering Free Rides on Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4 The Washington Region Alcohol Program’s (WRAP) 2018 Independence Day SoberRide program is offering free, Lyft rides up to $15 between 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 4, and 4 a.m.,Thursday, July 5.  Read more. County's Holiday Schedule June 29, 2018 Highway Services Construction Season Well Underway So far this season, MCDOT’s Highway Services has completed 82 roadway resurfacing projects, totaling 247 lane miles. Upcoming projects include: Residential Roadway Resurfacing Projects:    * Drews Court, Potomac    * Metz Drive Subdivision,     Germantown Permanent Patching Projects:    * Hewitt Avenue, Aspen Hill    * Boiling Brook Parkway,      Rockville    * Rippling Brook Drive,      Colesville    * Springbrook Village     Subdivision, Silver Spring    * Beech Avenue, Bethesda     * Seneca Crossing Drive,      Germantown    * Park Mill Drive, Rockville     Mill Run Drive, Derwood    * Derwood Station Phase I,      Derwood Don't Text and Drive As “Don't Text and Drive Month” comes to an end, MCDOT is encouraging everyone to continue practicing safe driving all the time and put an end to texting and driving for the long term. Join the campaign at: #DontTextAndDrive  Reinforcing Mat Installed Prior to Second Concrete Pour Update on Wheaton Revitalization Project The project’s underground garage is under construction and utility work continues along Grandview and Ennalls avenues. Get more information and view the live camera.

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

Go Montgomery! June 7, 2018

MCDOT Wins Six 2018 NACo Awards MCDOT has won six National Association of Counties (NACo) awards, including one for Best in Category. The Division of Parking Management won three awards, and the divisions of Traffic Engineering and Operations, Transit Services and Transportation Engineering each won one.  Read more about the award-winning projects.  Public Invited to Workshop on MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway Improvements On June 7, MCDOT will hold a public workshop to inform residents about design plans for a shared use path between Old Angler’s Inn and Egger Drive, extending the previously completed path south of I-495. Read more. Public Hearing Planned for Abandonment of Portion of Waters Road in Germantown The public is invited to a hearing on June 27 to provide input on the proposed abandonment of a small portion of Waters Road in Germantown. A recently constructed concrete retaining wall along the northern edge of the newly extended Waters Road encroached on the right-of-way by about two inches. Read more. Bike Owners Encouraged to Register Their Bikes With the County Registering a bicycle with the County is a good way to increase the likelihood it will be recovered if it's stolen. Registration is easy – use the online form on the Police Department's bike registration page. Registration decals are mailed to bike owners. MCDOT's Safe Routes to School Program and Coordinator Featured in Blog Post by Safe Routes to School National Partnership “Since Safe Routes to School’s inception in Montgomery County, Maryland, the movement has expanded dramatically. Over the years, SRTS has been thrust into the limelight with successful work ranging from bike/ped safety projects to get students involved in the Walk Your Way Program to the YOLO high school education campaign.” Read more. County Council to Hold Public Hearing on Technical Update to Master Plan of Highways and Transitways The Montgomery County Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a County Planning Board Master Plan of Highways and Transitways technical updateon July 10 at 1:30 pm. Read more. Public Hearing Scheduled on Planning Board Draft Bicycle Master Plan  The County Council will hold a public hearing on July 10 at 7:30 p.m., on the recently transmitted draft of the Bicycle Master Plan from the Montgomery County Planning Board. The draft master plan and appendix can be viewed here.  Read more. Montgomery Parks to Hold Community Meeting on Capital Crescent Trail Crossing at Little Falls Parkway Montgomery Parks is working on improving safety for Capital Crescent Trail users at the intersection of Little Falls Parkway. Attend a community meeting Wednesday, June 13, 7 p.m., at Somerset Elementary School, 5811 Warwick Place, Chevy Chase. Learn moreabout the project. June 7, 2018 Upcoming Road Paving Projects Ednor Road Paving Project, Silver Spring Kemp Mill Road Paving Project, Silver Spring Luxmanor Residential Resurfacing Project, North Bethesda Executive Boulevard Roadway Resurfacing Project, North Bethesda Wheaton Revitalization Updates The geothermal system is complete and tested, allowing construction on the building foundation to begin. Underground utility work continues along Grandview and Ennalls avenues this week. View the project’s progress on the construction camera.  Wheaton Revitalization Project Wins IPI Marketing and Communications Award MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management has won a 2018 International Parking Institute (IPI) award for outstanding marketing and communications programs for the Wheaton Revitalization Project, which is replacing a surface parking lot with a LEED Platinum office building, an underground parking garage, town square and first floor retail. Read more. Parking Management Division Chief Jose Thommana accepts the award.

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