Go Montgomery! June 22, 2020

Montgomery County Begins Phase 2 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles announced the County has achieved its benchmark to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The County entered Phase 2 of reopening on June 19. Learn more. MCDOT Increases Ride On Bus Routes  To support the County’s reopening, Ride On launched "Essential Plus" service, which adds more operating bus routes and provides greater geographic coverage. Essential Plus expands the number of weekday, Saturday and Sunday routes and restores the Bethesda Circulator and Silver Spring Van Go (Route 28) bus services. All fares remain free for now and passengers will still be required to board through the rear door unless the ramp is needed. Read the press release and view the Essential Plus webpage montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/essential-plan.html for more details.  MCDOT Announces New Shared Streets Program  In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, MCDOT is adjusting the use of some streets and parking facilities to best serve today’s needs. Shared Streets allow pedestrians, cyclists, and local vehicle traffic to share the street at slower vehicle speeds while practicing physical distancing. These temporary measures have been developed to provide expanded safe spaces for pedestrians and bicyclists. MCDOT has also closed some streets to cars to support outdoor dining. Learn more. montgomerycountymd.gov/dot/sharedstreets. MCDOT Offers New Bike Match Program As the County expands activities through phased re-openings, more people - including both essential and non-essential workers - are in need of safe, reliable, and inexpensive travel to work and other places throughout the County. That’s why BikeMatchMoCo was created. This new, FREE service, connects people with extra, unused bicycles to individuals who need them. BikeMatchMoCo facilitates a direct, person-to-person donation.  Have a bike or need a bike? Go online and complete the registration form. Know someone without internet access? Contact us to be mailed a paper form: 240-777-8380. Montgomery County’s New Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Guidelines Make It Easier for Residents to Charge at Home  A collaborative effort between MCDOT and Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has led to the release of the County’s first ever guidelines for installing EV charging stations at home. The guidelines regulate the installation of privately owned car charging stations in garages, driveways and the public right of way adjacent to County streets. Read more.  Metro to Reopen Some Stations and Realign Bus Service as Region Reopens Starting Sunday, June 28, Metro is reopening 15 rail stations that were closed due to low ridership during the coronavirus pandemic and Metrobus customers will notice more frequent buses, less crowding, and more regular service beginning Monday, June 29. Learn more. MDOT SHA Resurfacing Southbound I-270  The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration began a project on June 7 to mill, pave and restripe 4.6 miles between Falls Rd. and Democracy Blvd. Four of six southbound lanes will be closed from Sundays to Thursdays, between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. until late summer. Drivers should plan ahead for extra commute time and stay alert, focus on driving and, look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones. Learn more. Bird Now Offers Free e-Scooter Rides in Montgomery County  Bird electric scooters is offering free rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel in Montgomery County. To sign up, simply email a copy of your medical identification card along with your name and phone number to together@bird.co. Eligible riders will receive two, free, 30-minute rides per day for as long as it takes to help our communities recover from the global health crisis. Learn more at www.bird.co/blog/bird-providing-free-mobility-healthcare-workers-crisis.  MCDOT Negotiates Redevelopment of Public Parking Lots in Bethesda  MCDOT has published a Notice of Intent to begin negotiations for the redevelopment of the Leland Street and Farm Women's Market parking lots in Bethesda. The proposed mixed-use development will include residences, retail, an underground public parking garage, preservation of the Women’s Farm Market and a public park. Learn more.  Capital Crescent Garage Entrance Temporarily Closed  MCDOT is removing and replacing the trench drain system at the gates and entrances of the Capital Crescent Garage (Garage 31). The work was completed at the Bethesda Avenue gate and will now continue at the Woodmont entrance. Customers are asked to enter and exit the garage using Bethesda Avenue. The work is expected to be completed by the end of June.   Limited Quantities of Face Coverings Available for Ride On Passengers Who Cannot Provide Their Own During COVID-19 Health Crisis  MCDOT continues to provide limited supplies of face coverings on buses for passengers who cannot provide their own. In accordance with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s executive order, public transportation users must wear face coverings during the COVID-19 health crisis. Over 7,000 face coverings have been provided to riders in the first two months of the program. June 22, 2020 Commuter Connections Offers Commuting Tips and Resources As commuters return to work, Commuter Connections offers suggestions on keeping yourself safe during your commute, as well as information on what local transportation providers are doing to make shared commuting as safe as possible. The Commute with Confidence website provides recommendations and safety tips to help commuters navigate the new commuting landscape.Visit commuterconnections.org /covid19-commuting. Curious About Plans to Reinstate Transit Service Across the Washington Region?  Washington Post just put on a comprehensive store on local traffic status. Read now. June is National Safety Month   National Safety Month focuses on saving lives and preventing injuries – and driving safely is an important way to prevent collisions. Did you know that more than 90 percent of crashes are caused by human error? This includes:  Missing road hazards or detecting them too slowly.  Choosing incorrect defensive driving actions.  Driving in a distracted or altered state, such as having inadequate sleep, being distracted by a phone or dashboard touchscreen, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Addressing what causes crashes, as well as the role vehicles, drivers, road systems and technology play in creating safer roads is the way forward to zero fatalities. View this infographic for statistics and learn more at www.nsc.org/work-safety/get-involved/national-safety-month.  WABA Offers Online Bike Classes for Kids WABA's online youth bike class covers everything you and the young people in your life need to know to have a blast on a bike. It will teach your child the basics of bicycling, including helmet fit, safety, and where and how to ride their bicycle. Learn more at waba.org/blog/2020/05/bike-club. Enjoy Car-Free Streets on the Weekend   To provide more room on local streets for pedestrians and cyclists during the COVID-19 health crisis, the portion of Arlington Road, between Bradley Boulevard and Little Falls Parkway in Bethesda, is closed to vehicles on weekends. This expands upon Montgomery Parks’ ongoing weekend closures of Little Falls Parkway, sections of Beach Drive and Sligo Creek Parkway. Closures start on Fridays from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sundays for recreation and exercise. Learn more at montgomeryparks.org/covid-19 For a contactless parking payment option in the County, download the Parkmobile app at ow.ly/u2Wk30qI8TO. montgomerycountymd.gov/ DOT/covid-19.html

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

Go Montgomery! The Latest Transportation News - May 22, 2020

Montgomery County Continues Stay At Home Order Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles announced that the County joined other large jurisdictions in Maryland in continuing a stay-at-home order for now. Relaxation of the order will occur when the COVID-19 data show it is safe to do so. County officials are asking residents to remain vigilant in practicing preventive measures. Read more.  Montgomery County COVID-19 Data Dashboard Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles introduced a new COVID-19  data dashboard. The dashboard provides information on hospitalizations, number of patients in intensive care units, and number of ventilators in use as well as previously available information regarding the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths. This information will help guide the County’s decisions on when to lift its Stay-at-Home Executive Order. Read more. MCDOT  to Receive $30 Million Federal Funding for Transit  MCDOT will receive $30.2 million from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to support Ride On bus operations during and after the COVID-19 health crisis. The funds will help mitigate the financial impact that COVID-19 has had on the County’s transit system. Read more.   Montgomery County May Soon Begin Reopening Process Montgomery County could begin a phased reopening in the next week or two, according to County Health Officer Travis Gayles, though a specific date has not been publicly targeted. Gayles said on a virtual media briefing Wednesday that the county, one of the hardest-hit jurisdictions in the region during the coronavirus pandemic, has seen positive trends on key benchmarks such as hospitalizations and the average number of daily cases. Read Biz Journal article.  MCDOT’s Ride On Depot Chiefs Recognized for Outstanding Service  Every week during the COVID-19 health crisis, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Chief Administrative Officer Andrew Kleine recognize County employees who are “High Risers” -- those who have risen to the challenge of the COVID-19 health crisis after facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles and transforming them into attainable realities. MCDOT is very proud that its three Ride On depot chiefs, Allan Watts, Andre Lucas and James Ryan, are the latest employees to be recognized for establishing Ride On depot COVID-19 procedures, protocols and operations to better protect employees and residents. Read more.  MobileNOW! Parking Payment App Ceases Operation Due to COVID-19 Health Crisis; Parkmobile App Still Available at All County-Operated Parking Locations On the same day that operations ended, MCDOT received notification that one of the two mobile parking payment app providers, MobileNOW!, is no longer in business. MobileNow! was an option for parking payments at County-owned on-street meters, parking garages and lots. Parkmobile, the other parking app alternative, continues to offer pay-by-phone parking payment, and customers can download the app or create a new account at Parkmobile’s website. Read more Face Covering Required for Essential Travel on Ride On Buses Ride On passengers are required to wear face coverings —which may include a cloth mask, bandana or scarf—and use it to cover the mouth and nose before boarding the bus. Buses will have a limited supply of face coverings on board for passengers who cannot provide their own. Bus service is being provided for essential travel only, and the number of passengers on each bus will be limited to allow for safe social distancing. Read more.  METRO Requires Face Coverings The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced that face coverings or masks are now required when traveling on Metro. While the overwhelming majority of riders already comply voluntarily to CDC guidelines, the requirement is viewed as a necessary step as Metro plans for an eventual recovery with more riders using the system. View the press release.  Bikeshare and Lyft E-Scooters Extend Free Essential Worker Program to June 30 Capital Bikeshare and Lyft Electric Scooters have extended their essential worker program that gives essential employers and workers, including those in the healthcare, food service, and food retailer industries, free, unlimited, 30-day Bikeshare and Lyft e-scooter memberships allowing access to unlimited, 30-minute bike trips and e-scooter trips. MCDOT Held Virtual Project Briefing About Seminary Road Project On May 7, MCDOT shared information virtually on its ongoing work underway on Seminary Road, as well as some work around Riley Place in the Montgomery Hills area. MCDOT is constructing bike lanes and sidewalks. MCDOT continues offering the public real-time interactions with MCDOT project staff and recording the briefings for later viewing by those who are unable to participate.  Learn more about MCDOT’s engineering and construction projects by following @MoCo_DTE on twitter, or visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/currentprojects/index.html. Metro Shares Preliminary Recovery Plan  Metro has released preliminary details of its COVID-19 pandemic recovery plan, outlining its strategies for ramping up service, while protecting customers and employees. The plan anticipates gradual recovery of regional mobility in a flexible and phased approach. Read more.  Also, the CARES Act will help fund Metro's increased expenses driven by these enhanced safety measures and the unprecedented drop in fare revenue due to COVID-19. Read Washington Post Article. Wheaton Revitalization Project Experiences Some Delays Due to COVID-19 The Wheaton Revitalization Project is about 98 percent complete. However, progress on the project has been hampered by COVID-19 impacts on labor and materials. The completion date for the project remains fluid, with a target date of sometime this summer. MCDOT is constructing the Wheaton Revitalization Project, which will provide a government office building, below ground parking garage, and a town square. Learn more about the project. Executive Boulevard to Close as Progress Continues on MCDOT's White Flint Project Progress continues on MCDOT's project to construct a new, more walkable, more bikeable and more inviting urban street grid in the Pike District. Executive Boulevard between the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center entrance and Old Georgetown Road will permanently close next week to make way for the realignment of the street to connect to Pike & Rose as well as the realignment of the future Old Georgetown Road and Towne Road intersection. Read more. Bay Bridge Now Has All-Electronic Tolling System   The Maryland Transportation Authority has put cashless tolling in place on the Bay Bridge and statewide to protect drivers and toll collectors by eliminating interactions during the COVID-19 health crisis. Motorists who do not already have an E-ZPass® can enroll at ezpassmd.com to pay lower toll rates on the now-permanent electronic system.  Auto Club Offers Free Roadside Assistance For Health Care Workers And First Responders, Member Or Not AAA, the premier roadside assistance provider for more than 100 years, is offering local heroes a little peace of mind as they work to keep our communities safe and healthy.  Learn more. www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT/covid19.html May 22, 2020 Don't Forget to Submit Your Census! Take 10 minutes to be counted now, visit 2020census.gov. Transportation-Related Holiday Schedule for Memorial Day Transportation-related schedule changes for the Memorial Day Holiday, May 25, are listed below: County Offices – Closed. Ride On – Essential Plan. Metrorail/Metrobus – www.wmata.com. TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center –  Open. Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – Free. MCDOT's Virtual Safety Week a Big Success MCDOT thanks the more than 2,500 elementary and middle school students and their families who participated in Virtual Safety Week. Hosted by MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School program, Safety Week used at-home interactive and creative activities and video demonstrations to emphasize the need to be safe and look out for others, regardless of how people travel. During the week, students participated in at-home interactive and creative activities and video demonstrations that are available online to learn more about how to travel safely.  May is National Bike Month Spend quality time together through bicycling. As stay at home orders continue, biking is a great way to maintain physical and mental health. Even short rides have massive benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, and improving happiness, mental focus, and sleep. Read more. MCDOT Closes Portion of Arlington Road to Vehicles on Weekends To provide more room on local streets for pedestrians and cyclists during COVID-19 health crisis, the portion of Arlington Road, between Kenwood Forest Lane and Little Falls Parkway, in Bethesda is closed to vehicles. As of this weekend, the closure to vehicles has been extended to include Arlington Road from Bradley Boulevard to Little Falls Parkway. Read more.  MCDOT’s Curbside Pickup Zones Support Restaurants and Businesses  MCDOT has dozens of temporary “Curbside Food Pickup” zones in Pike & Rose, Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton to support restaurants that depend on carryout, curbside pickup and deliveries. For more information visit montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-parking/CurbsideFoodPickup.html Testing Helpline Now Available for County Residents For those residents who believe they need testing but do not have a primary care provider can call 240-777-1755. The line is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Resident who call will be evaluated to see if they need testing, that is free. Have Questions? Call 311 For assistance with Montgomery County issues such as; down tree limbs, pot holes, illegal dumping, illegal signage, traffic and street light outages, storm drain issues, special bulk pick-up, permitting inspections, and more! MC311 Customer Service Center now offers a language interpretation service with over 150 languages available! For assistance, call 311 Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m, follow @311MC311 on Twitter or visit montgomerycountymd.gov/311 Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.