Public Transit Expands Access to Montgomery County's 14 Primary Election Early Voting Centers June 11-18
MCDOT is reminding residents that Ride On and Metrobus have several routes available to transport voters to the County’s early voting centers. Early voting for the 2026 Primary Election will be held from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. from June 11 through June 18, including Saturday and Sunday.
Ride On buses are zero-fare for all riders. Metrobus offers various free and reduced fare programs including the Senior SmarTrip Card for seniors 65 or older, persons with disabilities, and a Youth Cruiser card for students 18 and under.
Ride On and Metrobus routes serving early voting centers:
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Activity Center at Bohrer: Ride On Routes 55, 59
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Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center: Ride On Route 48
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Damascus Community Recreation Center: Ride On Route 90
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Executive Office Building: Ride On Routes 44, 46, 47, 54, 56, 63
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Germantown Community Recreation Center: Ride On Routes 71, 78, 98
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Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center: Metrobus Routes M22, M70, D96
- The Bethesda Metro Station is also nearby.
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Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center: Metrobus Route M52
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Mid-County Community Recreation Center: Ride On Routes 26, 39, 49
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Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Rec. Center: Ride On Route 301
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Potomac Community Recreation Center: Ride On Route 37
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Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Station: Ride On Routes 52, 53, Flex
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Silver Spring Civic Building: Ride On Routes 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 28, Flash
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Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center: Ride On Routes 9, 31, Flex* (Note: Wheaton/Glenmont Flex bus will discontinue service on July 1.)
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White Oak Community Recreation Center: Ride On Flash
The Ride On Trip Planner app is a free regional public transportation planner that will find the fastest route, with real-time updates on wait times and bus crowdedness levels.
All County Ride On buses are free for all riders. Several of these early voting centers are served by Metrobus, which requires a fare. Metrobus offers various reduced fare programs for seniors 65 or older, persons with disabilities and youth 18 and under.
For information on the early voting centers and hours of operation, visit the . For general voting information and to register to vote, visit .
Downtown Wheaton Parking Changes Start Monday, July 1
MCDOT is adjusting parking days, hours, and rates for Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots, and street meters in Downtown Wheaton, beginning Monday, July 1. The changes will allow free parking on Saturdays and after 6 p.m. on weekdays. Parking on Sundays remains free.
The changes were approved by the Montgomery County Council as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget process. They reflect recommendations from the Wheaton Urban District, following a community survey in which the adopted option was preferred in more than 60% of responses.
Under the updated pricing structure, Downtown Wheaton’s weekday hourly parking rates will increase from $1 in County-maintained garages and lots and $1.25 an hour for street meters, to $1.75 and hour for garages, $2 for lots, and $2.50 for street meters.
Parking rates and hours effective Monday, July 1 in Downtown Wheaton will be:
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On-Street Parking Meters:
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. - $2.50 per hour.
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County Lots:
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. - $2.00 per hour.
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County Garages:
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. - $1.75 per hour.
Parking rates in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring remain unchanged.
Customers who regularly park in the Downtown Wheaton Parking District can purchase a Wheaton Parking District Parking Convenience Sticker (PCS) Monthly Permit, which remains available for $132 per month. Additional information about the PCS Monthly Permit and other parking programs is available on the Division of Parking Management webpage.
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 MCDOT Enhances Pedestrian Safety Through Summer Traffic Engineering Projects
MCDOT is making safety upgrades along key corridors across the County to improve pedestrian safety and curb dangerous driving behaviors. The projects are expected to be completed this fall. MCDOT is introducing a range of traffic-calming and pedestrian-friendly features along Bel Pre Road in Silver Spring and Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg. These safety improvements will include traffic control signals and beacons, pedestrian islands, reduced lane widths, and curb bump-outs.
Locations are selected based on a variety of factors, including crash data, equity, and traffic studies, with an emphasis on reducing crashes along the County’s designated High Injury Network (HIN) corridors. HINs make up only 3% of the County’s roads but account for more than 40% of serious and fatal crashes.
MCDOT is implementing safety improvements along the western edge of Bel Pre Road from Rippling Brook Road to Layhill Road. MCDOT is also adding a series of safety improvement measures along a 2.4-mile segment of Montgomery Village Avenue between Wightman Road and MD 124/Mid County Highway.
Recently completed intersection improvements and traffic calming projects include:
Clarksburg
Silver Spring
Current intersection improvements and traffic calming projects include:
Aspen Hill
Kensington
North Potomac
Silver Spring
 MCDOT Welcomes 18 New Ride On Bus Operators
Congratulations to the recent graduates.
- Akalu Heyi (Silver Spring Depot)
- Andjelo Arelus (Silver Spring Depot)
- Aresa Debose (Silver Spring Depot)
- Asfaw Kassie (Gaithersburg Depot)
- Claudia Portillo (Gaithersburg Depot)
- Davina Brooks (Gaithersburg Depot)
- Devon Dunn (Silver Spring Depot)
- Ernest Fotachwi (Silver Spring Depot)
- Gina Kenley (Nicholson Court Depot)
- Jessica Long (Gaithersburg Depot)
- Kingsford Bortsie (Gaithersburg Depot)
- Leykun Fisshaye (Silver Spring Depot)
- Luis Reyes (Gaithersburg Depot)
- Muhidin Ahemed (Nicholson Court Depot)
- Oswaldo Navarro (Silver Spring Depot)
- Ramin Baghirov (Nicholson Court Depot)
- Solomon Hailu (Silver Spring Depot)
- Steven Fernandez (Nicholson Court Depot)
If you are interested in a bus operator position and wish to be contacted when MCDOT is hiring, please complete this online form.
  MCDOT Announces Winners of the ‘Paint the Plow’ Contest
Hallie Wells Middle School in Clarksburg was selected as the first-place winner of MCDOT’s “Paint the Plow” snowplow naming contest. The winning design featured the theme “Rooted in Service Powered by Community”.
The Paint the Plow contest is held each year as part of “Public Works Week” to honor essential workers. During the special week, MCDOT recognizes the employees of its Division of Highway Services with a social media campaign highlighting public works employees and the vital role they play in the safety and quality of life of County residents.
The decorated snowplows were displayed at MCDOT’s “Truck Day” event on Saturday, May 16. The free event was held at the Gaithersburg Salt Barn and had nearly 2,200 attendees who were invited to vote for their favorite snowplow design.
MCDOT provided snowplows and paint supplies to 14 county middle schools where students had two weeks to name and decorate their snowplows. The winners selected were:
The middle school winners selected were:
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First place - $500 award: Hallie Wells MS in Clarksburg for its decorated snowplow with a unity theme named “Together.”
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Second place - $300 award: Cabin John MS in Potomac for its decorated snowplow depicting infrastructure as reflected in the Public Works Week theme, “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community.”
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Third place - $200 award: Tilden MS in North Bethesda for its decorated snowplow with a spring theme named “Bees on the Block.”
Residents will see the decorated plows in action this winter. The plows will be deployed during snow and ice events to help clear roadways.
Visit the Paint the Plow website to view photos of the wining plows.
MCDOT Announces Winners of the 6th Annual Elementary School Pedestrian Safety Art Contest
MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School Art Contest aimed to raise awareness of pedestrian safety. MCDOT chose six winners.
Congratulations to the following elementary school art contest winners:
4th - 5th Grade Winners:
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First place - Rudra N. with Gaithersburg ES.
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Second place - Natalie L. with Bayard Rustin ES.
View all winning art entries on the contest webpage.
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MCDOT Graduates 'Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors’ and Peer Mentors
MCDOT hosted the Vision Zero Youth Ambassador Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 16. Speakers included Chris Conklin, director, Dr. Earl Stoddard, assistant chief administrative officer, Montgomery County Police Officer Marcus Lee, and Wade Holland, Vision Zero coordinator.
Ambassadors and peer mentors received certificates and earned 1,311 hours Student Service Learning hours for active participation. Youth Ambassadors were tasked with planning and executing Safety Day, a free family-friendly event focused on pedestrian, bike, and traffic safety. The next opportunity for high school students to apply to the program will be in Fall 2026.
Congratulations to the following high school Vision Zero graduates:
- Aakif Saifi, Thomas S. Wootton
- Aarush Selvarak, Walt Whitman
- Abisek Karakheti, Clarksburg
- Aidan Eagle, Non-MCPS/Private School
- Aleksandr (Sasha) Glick, Montgomery Blair
- Amit Krishna Dasari, Clarksburg
- Ash Njinwo T., Seneca Valley
- Ashley Guan, Poolesville
- Avyukth Malreddy, Northwest
- Cameron Lang, James Hubert Blake
- Ellery Engle, Bethesda-Chevy Chase
- Emmanuel Kyalo Mumo, Walter Johnson
- Hannah Panicker, Clarksburg
- Kiechante Holness, Gaithersburg
- Kira Davidova, Bethesda-Chevy Chase
- Landon Eum, Non-MCPS/Private School
- Lauren Bani Khadja, Springbrook
- Nailah George, Walter Johnson
- Nicole Chang, Walter Johnson
- Rani Mahadwar, Walter Johnson
- Ritika Patel, Sherwood
- Sachin Kundra, Non-MCPS/Private School
- Songyue (Alice) Yang, Thomas S. Wootton
- Varish Desai, Clarksburg
- Victor Ortiz Morales, John F. Kennedy
- Victoria A. Villanueva, Richard Montgomery
- Vivaan Samaraweera, Winston Churchill
- Zamir Kanthor, Albert Einstein
Thank you to the peer mentors and previous Vision Zero graduates:
- Gabriella Frischtak, Winston Churchill
- Hansel Suthar, Clarksburg
- Harish Ramesh, Northwest
- Jacqueline Daphnis, Albert Einstein
- Jonathan Wang, Winston Churchill
- Pranav Shakya, Clarksburg
- Ryan Lin, Clarksburg
- Zinmar Latt, Damascus
Learn more about the Montgomery County Vision Zero initiative.
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Phase 2 of Temporary Bus Bay Changes at Wheaton Metro Station Expected to be Completed by Friday, June 12
Phase 2 of the Wheaton Metro Bus Shelter Replacement project began on Monday, June 1, and will end on or around Friday, June 12.
The following bus bay changes will impact Ride On bus routes:
- Routes 34 and 41 will move from Bay F to T2
- Route 31 will move from Bay H to T1
- Route 9 will move from Bay J to Bay T3
- Routes 7 and 8 will move from Bay K to Bay P
Note: Signs will be posted to clearly indicate the temporary bus bay relocations.
Ride On Service Advisory: Overnight Wayne Avenue Closures (June 7 – June 16)
Starting at 10 p.m. on Sunday, night on June 7, through 4 a.m. Tuesday, morning on June 16, overnight construction for the Purple Line will cause temporary road closures and bus service disruptions.
Closure Schedule and & Locations
June 7-14
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Time: 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. each night.
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Wayne Avenue: Closed in both directions between Flower Avenue and Sligo Creek Parkway.
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Manchester Road: Closed at the Wayne Avenue intersection.
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Reason: Crews are safely installing overhead wires.
Pedestrian & Rider Impact
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Pedestrians: Access through the work zone will remain open. Please follow all posted detour signs and worker instructions.
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Bus Riders: View Ride On bus stops that will not be in service during these overnight hours.
For more information on Ride On routes and services, visit rideonbus.com or download the free Ride On Trip Planner app.
MCDOT PUBLIC HEARINGS
At the following public hearings and meetings, written testimony carries the same weight as oral testimony. All information provided will become a matter of public record.
Virtual Public Hearing on the Cheltenham Drive Bikeway Project in Bethesda to be Held on Wednesday, June 10
On Wednesday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing (online only) to discuss the proposed Cheltenham Drive Bikeway project in Bethesda. MCDOT will present the project design, details, costs, and schedule. MCDOT will also obtain public testimony regarding the design and answer questions. Public input is encouraged and may influence the project's design.
The Cheltenham Drive Bikeway project provides for the design of bicycle lanes along Norfolk Avenue from Woodmont Avenue to Wisconsin Avenue (MD355), then continues along Cheltenham Drive from Wisconsin Avenue to Tilbury Street. This is a small part of the Bethesda Loop that connects to the 2018 county-wide Bicycle Master Plan.
Online registration is required to attend.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online comment form or by email to Project Manager Hoang Nguyen at Hoang.Nguyen@montgomerycountymd.gov by Friday, June 12.
Virtual Public Hearing on the Purple Line Sidewalk Proposal for the Long Branch Station in Silver Spring to be Held on Tuesday, June 23
On Tuesday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing (online only) to discuss the proposed sidewalk installations under the Purple Line Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Area (BiPPA) project for the Long Branch station. MCDOT will present the revised project concept plans, details, costs, and schedule. MCDOT will obtain public testimony regarding the proposed installations and answer questions. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final decision.
The Purple Line BiPPA sidewalk proposal for the Long Branch station proposes the installation of 5-foot-wide, ADA-compliant sidewalks and ADA curb ramps on roadways within a half-mile of the new station in Silver Spring. Enhancing cycling and walking facilities, while emphasizing safety and accessibility, the new sidewalks and curb ramps will allow Purple Line users to be more connected to communities throughout Montgomery County and the DC area.
Online registration is required to attend.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online testimony form or by email to Planning Specialist Lori Main at Lori.Main@montgomerycountymd.gov by Friday, June 12.
Virtual Public Hearing on the Purple Line Sidewalk Proposal for the Manchester Place Station in Silver Spring to be Held on Thursday, June 25
On Thursday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing (online only) to discuss the proposed sidewalk installations under the Purple Line Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Area (BiPPA) sidewalk proposal for the Manchester Place station. MCDOT will present the revised project concept plans, details, costs, and schedule. MCDOT will obtain public testimony regarding the proposed installations and answer questions. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final decision.
The Purple Line BiPPA sidewalk proposal for the Manchester Place station proposes the installation of 5-foot-wide, ADA-compliant sidewalks and ADA curb ramps on roadways within a half-mile of the new station in Silver Spring. By enhancing cycling and walking facilities while emphasizing safety and accessibility, the new sidewalks and curb ramps will allow Purple Line users to be more connected to communities throughout Montgomery County and the DC area.
Online registration is required to attend.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online testimony form or by email to Planning Specialist Lori Main at Lori.Main@montgomerycountymd.gov by Friday, June 24.
Public Can Still Provide Feedback on the Norwood Road Shared-Use Path Project in Olney
The Norwood Road Shared-Use Path project involves the design and construction of an approximately 1400-foot-long shared-use path along the west side of Norwood Road from Olney-Sandy Spring Road (MD 108) to Ashton Forest Way/ Nesbitt Farm Lane. This project is part of the Heritage Triangle Trail, which, once completed, will provide safe cyclist and pedestrian access to various public facilities and historical sites within the Sandy Spring area, as well as connect to the larger network.
The public can visit the project website and provide feedback via the online comment form or by email to Project Manager Hoang Nguyen at Hoang.Nguyen@montgomerycountymd.gov by Friday, June 12.
PARTNER NEWS
- METRO -
Metro Red Line Summer Closure Update: MD 355 Bus Lane Markings
You may have recently heard about bus lane markings being added to portions of MD 355/Rockville Pike in North Bethesda. These bus lanes are part of the mitigation actions to support the planned summer closure of the Red Line Metro planned summer closure of the Red Line Metro from North Bethesda to Friendship Heights, from July 6- Sept. 6. Metro will be providing free shuttles during the station closures, and they will utilize these sections of dedicated bus lanes to reduce travel time and increase reliability. The Maryland Department of Transportation/State Highway Administration (MDOT/SHA) conducted extensive traffic studies before moving forward with this plan to confirm transit benefits and reasonable traffic flow.
MDOT/SHA has begun installing 7.5 lane-miles of bus lanes utilizing lane striping and signage at strategic locations along MD 355. These areas are shown in the map below. These lanes will be completed by July 6, in time for use during the Summer 2026 Major Construction.
SHA’s work to install the striping, and signage will still take some time, and the lanes are not expected to be operational as “bus only lanes” until the shuttle service is imminent. MDOT will be posting signage publicly reminding travelers that the bus lanes will be in effect beginning July 6.
MCDOT with its partners, MDOT and WMATA, will be closely monitoring the bus lanes over the summer months and may make changes if needed.
 Metrorail Service Red Line Update for June 8 - 11
After 10 p.m., from Monday, June 8 through Thursday, June 11, WMATA Red Line trains are single tracking between the Silver Spring and Forest Glen stations due to a scheduled tunnel leak repair project.
Metro Launches "Fares Pay for Service" Campaign to Support Safe, Frequent, Reliable Transit Service Across the Region
The campaign was highlighted during a media event on Thursday, May 28 at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring, where Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke joined Metro Transit Police officers, Metro management team, Board members and staff to expand fare enforcement and customer education efforts on Metro Bus routes throughout the region.
Metro Announces Service for Pride Parade; Themed Vehicles to Debut for Pride Month
This June, Metro is celebrating Pride Month with specially wrapped trains, buses, and Metro Access vehicles featuring the theme “Proudly Join Us on Metro.” The vehicles will travel throughout the system from June 5-30.
- MARYLAND -
Maryland Transportation Authority Completed Final Rail for the Purple Line
Governor Wes Moore headlined a host of elected leaders and state transportation officials in Silver Spring on Thursday, May 7 to celebrate the important milestone of installing the final segment of rail for the state’s Purple Line Project. The ceremony, held at the future Purple Line 16th Street-Woodside Station, marked the completion of 193,100 feet of track connecting New Carrollton in Prince George’s County with Bethesda in Montgomery County.
Maryland’s Purple Line is expected to open for passengers in late 2027, expanding access to jobs and opportunity, and strengthening Maryland’s transportation network for generations to come. Learn more about the project at purplelinemd.com/overview.
- MONTGOMERY COUNTY -
Infrastructure Funding Workgroup to Hold Community Listening Sessions in June
Montgomery County community members are invited to attend Infrastructure Funding Workgroup-hosted community listening sessions in June. Montgomery County is examining how to better fund infrastructure, such as schools, transportation and parks. The Infrastructure Funding Workgroup is seeking community feedback to inform recommendations for the Montgomery County Council.
The listening sessions will be held 6-8 p.m. at the following Reginal Service Centers:
If residents are unable to attend, they can submit feedback through the online questionnaire that is available in multiple languages.
Montgomery County Council Votes to Approve $7.9 Billion Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget
On Thursday, May 21, Montgomery County Council voted to approve the County’s $7.9 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Operating Budget, the $1.3 billion FY27 Capital Budget, and the $6.3 billion FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The budgets will go into effect on Wednesday, July 1.
Environment and Transportation
The Council approved more than $317.2 million in funding for the Department of Transportation, which supports services such as infrastructure maintenance and traffic management, as well as the County’s free Ride On bus service. Continued funding is also included for the Vision Zero initiative, which is focused on enhancing pedestrian and bicyclist safety and eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries on County roadways.
Capital Budget
Transportation projects total more than $2.2 billion over the six-year period, with $385 million allocated in FY27 to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and safety, roadway conditions, and transit accessibility. Some key projects include the new Burnt Hill Road Bridge and increased funding for various road maintenance and resurfacing projects.
 For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news by phone or email.
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