Speech and Testimony
County Executive Ike Leggett's Remarks at the BRT Press Event
Good morning.
Last November, I asked our County Department of Transportation to undertake a thorough review of how we could quickly and economically implement a Bus Rapid Transit system for Montgomery County.
I did this because I believe that a BRT network is necessary -- for our continued economic development and job growth; for reducing traffic congestion; and to protect the environment.
There was never a doubt in my mind that we could plan and build a BRT in a fiscally responsible manner.
The crucial question was how we would do it.
Today, I am transmitting to the County Council a revised plan for a County BRT. It is based on the principle that the good thing about the transit operation is you never have to do all of it at one time.
I am proposing a staged plan, looking at different transportation corridors individually and adapting to each corridor’s characteristics.
With the State’s cooperation, we could have BRT operating along our first corridor in less than four years and, in the same time frame, improve service on two other corridors while continuing to plan for more BRT routes.
First, the Route 355 corridor is crucial to our development plans as Rockville Pike becomes transformed over the years.
I am committed to implementing BRT on MD 355 by partnering with the State on the $10 million cost of the next phase of project planning.
I am programming $5 million in my Capital Budget and calling upon the State to match my commitment to advance the MD 355 BRT study the next stage, which will then allow us to allocate funds for design and construction.
In the meantime, we will start Ride On Plus priority service from the Lakeforest Transit Center to the Medical Center Metrorail Station in less than two years.
The service will be peak period, limited stop with specially-branded vehicles and upgraded stops/stations, including features such as transit signal priority and real-time bus arrival information.
Second, the Route 29 corridor is a critical location for BRT because of the economic development that is taking place now and for development planned over the next few years.
It is the best suited now to have BRT service in the fastest period of time.
My goal is to have this part of the BRT up and running in four years.
That goal is possible because a BRT could operate on the road as it exists now by using the roadway shoulders as dedicated bus lanes, and also by using managed lanes in limited sections in mixed traffic.
To ensure we can meet this ambitious timeline, the County will take over planning and design efforts for the US 29 BRT.
I am programming $6.5 million in my Capital Budget for the planning and design of the US 29 BRT.
Costs for construction and the BRT vehicles will be determined during the design stage.
I am also directing our Transportation Department to negotiate with the State to share in those costs and to partner with Howard County to leverage efforts for a bi-county BRT service.
Our third corridor is Veirs Mill Road, where a planning study is proceeding. It should reach the next milestone in 2017. Then, we will be able to evaluate options for design and construction.
In the meantime, I plan to ask the state to fund $1.8 million in annual costs to implement a peak-period express bus service that will have limited stops.
Finally, I continue to support our upcounty Corridor Cities Transitway. I fully support the State plan to seek Federal funding for the CCT.
The project has reached the 30 percent design milestone and funding for final design is included in the State’s budget.
I am also planning a comprehensive education effort to let the public know about the benefits of BRT, and that we are moving forward with the maximum impact and the least cost.
I look forward to working with the Council, our delegation in Annapolis, the Governor and state agencies in making our BRT a reality.
March 2, 2015; 10:30 a.m
Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, CE Conference Room, 2nd floor, Rockville