MCDOT's Go Montgomery! Transportation Newsletter for March 2024

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Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Andrew Friedson Joined in Launch of Completed Dedicated Bus Lanes Project on University Boulevard in Wheaton

On Friday, March 8, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Andrew Friedson gathered at Wheaton Forest Local Park to celebrate the completion of the dedicated bus lane project on University Boulevard (MD 193) between Amherst Avenue and Dennis Avenue in Wheaton.  

Also joining the event were Councilmember and Transportation and Environment Committee Chair Evan Glass, Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Natali Fani-González, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Senior Vice President for Bus Services Leroy Jones, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administrator (MDOT/SHA) Will Pines and MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. 

The brightly painted red dedicated bus lanes run along the park border on University Boulevard and were opened for use in late February. The dedicated bus lanes along the more than two-mile section of roadway will allow buses to travel with minimal motor vehicle traffic obstruction along one of the area’s busiest and most congested corridors.  

The dedicated bus lanes on University Boulevard are part of a larger MCDOT program, the Bus Priority Project, that will advance similar bus-only lanes. The bus lanes will provide faster, more reliable service along a route with critical service connections to MetroRail, Ride On, Metro buses and the Silver Spring Transit Center. The lanes are designated with solid red paint and “Bus Only” text. 

The University bus lane corridor serves three Ride On bus routes (Route 7, Route 8 and Route 9) and WMATA’s C2 and C4 Metrobus routes. The C2 and C4 Metrobus routes carry about 9,300 riders each weekday, the second-highest ridership route in the Washington, D.C. region.  

MCDOT will monitor the effectiveness and safety of the bus lanes as a pilot program for 12 months. An evaluation will be done in December 2025 to confirm that the bus lanes are beneficial on the corridor. 

The new bus lanes will allow use by emergency vehicles and bicycles. Cars can only enter the bus lane approximately 100 feet prior to making a right turn, as indicated by striped, red lines. 

Details about the dedicated bus lane project on University Boulevard can be found on MCDOT’s  University Boulevard Dedicated Bus Lane project page.  

Learn more here.

Ride On Bus Operator is Being Hailed a Hero for Finding Missing Woman 

MCDOT Ride On bus operator Antonio Lucas swung into action after hearing a report for a missing, disoriented older woman. WUSA9 spoke exclusively to both the bus driver and dispatcher that worked together to find the missing woman. Read the WUSA9 article here.

MCDOT to Celebrate ‘Transit Driver Appreciation Day’ on Monday, March 18

MCDOT is thanking drivers by hosting lunch at each bus depot and is asking residents to thank their driver. Transit Appreciation Day celebrates the service of all public transit employees.

MCDOT employs more than 650 bus operators to support transit services that include Ride On, Ride On extRa, Flex and Flash.

MCDOT Reminds Drivers to Not Drink and Drive and to Consider Other Transportation Options for Safe Travels on St. Patrick's Day

If you are planning on celebrating with alcohol this St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17, MCDOT and the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) remind the public not to drink and drive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tells us that nearly half of all traffic deaths on St. Patrick’s Day involve drunk drivers.

“If you plan to drink, do not drive,” said MCPD Chief Marcus Jones. “Our officers will be conducting saturation patrols throughout the County and arresting intoxicated drivers. The tragedy that occurs when people get behind the wheel intoxicated is 100 percent preventable.”

MCDOT urges residents to plan ahead before heading out to celebrate.

“There are ample ride services that will get you home safety,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “If you’re choosing to celebrate with alcohol this St. Patrick’s Day, plan out your ride home ahead of time to keep our shared roadways safe for everyone.”

Residents are encouraged to use of one the following transportation options:

• SoberRide is a free ride home program offered through the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) in partnership with Lyft. A limited number of promotional codes for Lyft will be posted at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 17 on SoberRide.com. The codes are valid for up to $15 off one ride home taken in Lyft’s Washington, D.C. coverage area from noon on Sunday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) until midnight. Participants must be 21+.
  
  
• Use MCDOT’s Ride On bus – With fare of $1 on all County buses, there are currently 80 routes throughout the County that operate daily. Download the free, regional public transit app, Ride On Trip Planner, to plan your next trip.

Learn more here.

MCDOT Hosts “What Drives You” Ride On Contest Through Tuesday, April 30

What Drives YOU? Since 1975 Ride On has helped people in Montgomery County get to the places that are important to them. How has Ride On shaped your life?

Post your Ride On memories on Instagram, Facebook, or X and tag @RideOnMCT for a chance to win one of three gift cards ($100 Amazon, $75 Visa or $50 Barnes and Noble). Winners will be announced on Friday, May 10.

MCDOT Celebrates Women's History Throughout March

MCDOT is recognizing female engineers and inventors throughout March on social media platforms including X, Facebook and Instagram.

Love Flash Contest Winner Announced

MCDOT announced the Love Flash Contest winner on X.  MCDOT wants to thank everyone who participated and who currently rides the Flash on Route US29/Colesville Road.

SAVE THE DATE: GreenFest Will Be Held on Saturday, April 27

Plan for your family to attend this year’s GreenFest event that will be held at the Blackrock Center of the Arts in Germantown. MCDOT will have a table promoting the department's green initiatives. 

March is Wheelchair Securement Month

According to the United States Census, 3.3 million individuals over the age of 15 use mobility devices such as wheelchairs. Learn how a wheelchair is properly secured on a Ride On bus here.

Montgomery County Offering Adult Bike and
E-Scooter Classes in April, May and June

MCDOT will be offering low-cost adult bike classes in April, May and June. The classes will include both a Learn to Ride and Basic Skills class. MCDOT will also offer four free, walk-up electric scooter classes following select bike classes. View bike and e-scooter class dates here.

Advance registration is required to participate in the bike classes, with a cost of $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) or Capital Bikeshare For All members. However, registration is still required.

The classes are open to residents 18 and over, are limited to 25 people and fill up quickly. Online registration is currently open for April classes on the WABA website under the classes tab. 

Free two-hour adult e-scooter classes are being offered on a drop-in basis on four select days. Anyone 18 or over with a valid driver’s license or ID can join. E-scooters will be provided.

Montgomery County features a total of 112 miles of bike lanes, bike-friendly road shoulders and separated bike lanes, also known as cycle tracks, for bike riders to enjoy countywide. MCDOT installed the first eight miles of the County’s separated bike lanes in 2014 and is continuing to build more throughout the County. Multiple protected bike lane projects are currently in the planning and construction phases. 

Registration Open for ‘Bike to Work Day’ to Be Held on Friday, May 17

Bike to Work Day registration is now open and the first 15,000 bicyclists who register and participate will get a free t-shirt and automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike.

The event is held across the nation on the third Friday of May to celebrate bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work.

Starting at 6 a.m., bike riders can stop by any of the eight MCDOT-sponsored pit stops for refreshments, live music, local vendor displays and to participate in free raffles that include a chance to win a new bike.

Teleworkers and leisure riders are encouraged to participate. Learn more at biketoworkmetrodc.org.

Bike and Roll to School Day Will Be Held on Wednesday, May 8

All schools are invited to join in and host a celebration. Schools can reach out for planning ideas and materials through the Safe Routes to School website.

MCDOT’s safety mascot, Zeal the Zebra, will host a special event at a selected school.

Montgomery County elementary schools can apply to host this year's event by filling out this brief online form. The selected school will be announced in April. 

See photos from the 2023 event here that was hosted by Rock Creek Valley Elementary School in Rockville.

Kids Pedestrian Safety Art Contest Coming Soon

MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program is hosting its fourth annual Pedestrian Safety Art Contest that is open to all Montgomery County Elementary Schools to raise awareness about pedestrian safety with school-aged children.

The contest will be open from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 30. Students are encouraged to use creative thinking to educate about pedestrian safety. 

See photos of last year's winners online here. 

MCDOT to Host Safety Day on Saturday, May 11; Now Accepting Vendor Applications Through Saturday, April 20  

MCDOT is hosting its first Safety Day event to support the Vision Zero mission of eliminating severe traffic crashes. 

Safety Day will take place at the MCPS Carver Educational Center located at 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville between 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Vendors can apply online here.

MCDOT Receives 195 Teen Video Entries for the 'Heads Up Phones Down' Safety Video Contest

MCDOT received 195 entries from 27 high schools showing the dangers of distracted driving.

Judging is currently taking place and winners will be announced with school visits on Friday, March 15. Winners will be posted on the contest website on Monday, March 18.

Ride On Visits Blake High School in Silver Spring to Promote Kids Ride Free Program

On Monday, March 11 students had a chance to learn about transportation options and sign up for a SmarTrip card.

Youth 18 and under can ride all Ride On buses and most Metro buses within the county for free by using a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card.

Who Do You Call to Get a Pot Hole Fixed?

MCDOT maintains more than 5,200 miles of county roads in Montgomery County. 

Residents can report a pothole on a county road to the MC311 system – either online or by phone at 240-777-0311, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. or on the social media platform X.

The Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) fills potholes and maintains state roads which have numbers, such as Rockville Pike (355) and River Road (190). Report potholes on state roads directly to MSHA online or by calling 1-800-323-6742.

Municipalities such as the cities of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park handle their own pothole repairs.

MCDOT Temporarily Closes Public Parking Lot 18 in Silver Spring

MCDOT’s public parking Lot 18 located at 938 Philadelphia Avenue is currently closed. The lot will be used as a staging area for the construction of an adjacent cycle track over the next year.

Long-term parking can be found nearby in Garage 4 located at 8110 Fenton Street.

MCDOT Prepares for Spring/Summer Cleaning of County Garages

MCDOT will clean 21 public parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton on nights and weekends beginning Monday, April 8.

These efforts work to remove grease and oil that would otherwise end up in our waterways.

The full schedule can be viewed online here.

A Virtual Public Hearing Will Be Held on the Replacement of the Dennis Avenue Bridge Over the Sligo Creek Tributary (Wheaton Branch) in Silver Spring on Wednesday, April 3

On Wednesday, April 3, starting at 7 p.m., MCDOT will discuss the proposed replacement of the Dennis Avenue Bridge over Sligo Creek Tributary (Wheaton Branch) in Silver Spring. The existing Dennis Avenue Bridge is in need of replacement to enhance the safety of the traveling public. The public will have an opportunity to provide testimony and ask questions.

Visit the project website and provide feedback via this online comment form or by email to the Project Manager, Greg Hwang at  greg.hwang@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Learn more here.

A Hybrid Public Meeting Will Be Held on the Extension of North High Street in Olney on Wednesday, April 10

On Wednesday, April 10, starting at 6:30 p.m., MCDOT will discuss the preliminary (35%) designs for the North High Street Extended project. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.  

Online registration is required to attend. This meeting will be accessible both in-person and virtually. Meeting materials will be posted on the project website prior to the scheduled meeting. The in-person meeting will be held at the Olney Library, 3500 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney, 20832. 

Learn more here.

Temporary Bus Stop Relocation on Rockville Pike Impacting Ride On Routes 46 and 101

The bus stop at Rockville Pike and Halpine Road has been relocated further down on Rockville Pike to facilitate the demolition and rebuilding of a new mixed-use path along Rockville Pike through Friday, April 12. Signs are posted directing riders to the relocated stop. The bus stop relocation impacts Ride On routes 46 and 101.

Temporary Metrorail Shutdown Between Friendship Heights and Grosvenor Stations Scheduled for This Weekend, March 16-17, Closure Will Affect Ride On Bus Bay Locations

Due to a temporary Metrorail shutdown between Friendship Heights and Grosvenor stations, Bethesda and Medical Center Metrorail stations will be closed Saturday, March 16 through Sunday, March 17.

WMATA will provide express shuttle buses. Learn more here.

Temporary Bus Stop Closure on University Boulevard to Impact Ride On Bus Route 15

Beginning Monday, March 25, Ride On Route 15 bus stop at University Boulevard E and Merrimac Drive will be closed to facilitate Purple Line work. Work is projected to last until Sunday, April 7.

Riders are directed to use Bus Bay E at Takoma Langley Transit Center or the bus stop at University Boulevard and Forston Street. 

Metro Announces Three-Year Capital Construction Plans, Including Red Line Station Closures This Summer

Metro has announced plans for major capital construction over the next three years to modernize the Metrorail system, improve safety and reliability, and maintain a state of good repair. 

Beginning in early June, Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma stations on the Red Line will be closed. The closure will continue through early September with the possibility of reducing the work zone to allow Takoma Station to reopen prior to the end of construction.

Learn more here.

Bring on the Blossoms: Metro Gets Ready for Cherry Blossom Season

Tis the season for pink petals and a blanket of blooms as the nation's capital prepares for the cherry blossoms to flower and the large influx of visitors who come to see them.

Beginning on Monday, March 18 and continuing through Friday, April 19, Metro will not perform any track work until after 10 p.m. to maintain frequent, reliable service for our everyday riders and visitors headed to see the cherry blossoms and other events around the Tidal Basin.

In case of an earlier or later peak bloom, dates free of track work may shift. The National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts more than 1.5 million people each year.

Learn more here.

A Year Into Strategic Plan, Metro Marks Improvements in Ridership, Customer Satisfaction, Public Safety and Fare Collection While Reducing Expenses

Learn more here.

Commuter Tax-Free Refund Benefit Increase

The Federal Transportation Fringe Benefit increased the pre-tax limits in 2024 to $315 a month for transit, vanpool, and qualified parking. Guidance on the 2024 limits can be found here.

Employers Can Save $1,200 Per Employee Each Year with Commuter Benefits

Employers who offer subsidies for commuting by transit, vanpool, carpool, telework, walking or biking, or provide Guaranteed Ride Home, First/Last Mile, or Parking Cash Out programs may be eligible to claim 50% of the subsidies paid through annual Maryland tax returns (up to $1,200 per employee per year).

Learn more here and for free assistance email commuterchoice@mdot.maryland.gov. 

Public Can Provide Feedback on Proposed MTA Commuter Bus Service Changes Through Monday, April 29

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) FY24 – 29 Draft Consolidated Transportation Plan outlines the Department’s six-year capital program. To balance the budget, MDOT was required to make tough decisions on how to spend limited resources to continue providing services that support communities and the economy. The public can provide feedback at one of five public hearings (three virtual, two in-person). Learn more here.

Montgomery County Executive Elrich Releases Recommended $7.1 Billion Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget

The proposed FY25 operating budget includes investments in transportation.

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