Speech and Testimony
County Executive Leggett’s Remarks at the Kickoff Campaign with DOT on an education campaign for BRT
13100 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring
As prepared
Good morning. I am glad to be here in White Oak to talk about how we are taking the next steps to make Bus Rapid Transit service in Montgomery County a reality.
The County’s economic prosperity and future competitiveness depends on expanding our travel options – and Bus Rapid Transit is key to our 21st century transformation – not just here, but throughout the region.
You may recall that in July, Montgomery County received a ten-million-dollar federal TIGER grant (“Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery”) to design and implement Bus Rapid Transit along Route 29 – which is the busiest transit route in the County.
This would not have happened without the exceptional efforts of our Federal delegation.
I want to thank them for their support and hard work in securing this funding for us.
I’m also delighted to be joined today by Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman as we look at options for a bi-county BRT system.
Also here today is County Councilmember Roger Berliner.
In addition to US 29, we have been working with the State of Maryland to study Bus Rapid Transit along Route 355, Veirs Mill Road and the Corridor Cities Transitway route.
Montgomery County is focusing on these routes because we believe they offer the most potential to enhance the future mobility of County residents and visitors.
Behind me is a Bus Rapid Transit (or BRT) vehicle destined for Nashville, Tennessee. It is an example of the kind of vehicle we expect will be running along this route starting in 2020. Each of these BRT vehicles will provide swift, efficient, convenient and reliable transportation for commuters. One BRT vehicle could take as many as 90 cars off the road.
BRT vehicles like this one move more quickly than other traffic because they may run in dedicated lanes and they have traffic signal priority. They have faster boarding because fares are collected ahead of time and riders enter through all doors.
By enabling people to travel more efficiently along our existing roadways, Bus Rapid Transit service can attract more jobs and help meet Montgomery County’s economic development goals.
As Montgomery County has such an educated, talented, hard-working population, we are an appealing place for employers. But to attract more jobs, we need BRT to expand travel options.
Ultimately, Bus Rapid Transit – and other Rapid Transit System projects – are essential to creating the livable, walkable, transit-oriented communities we need.
One example is right here in East County where the new Adventist Hospital is under construction and we are developing “Viva White Oak.” Viva is a new community of homes, shopping and dining establishments that will support world-class research and development efforts just next door to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Further development of the White Oak Science Gateway depends heavily upon the presence of the Bus Rapid Transit on Route 29.
According to the "Prospective and Likely Economic Implications of the US 29 BRT System" report that was completed by Sage Policy Group earlier this year, BRT could unleash the development of more thatn 5,300 new dwelling units and the construction of 7 million square feet of commercial space, which could accommodate more thatn 20,000 jobs.
Montgomery County is committed to expanding economic opportunity in the East County, and that is why we have brought on board our White Oak science Gateway Immplementation Coordinator, Peter Fosselman. Pete comes with strong credentials to ensure success in the East County.
And, as we develop our BRT system, one of the ways we are engaging the community is by launching a naming contest. Al Roshdieh, our DOT Director, will be providing details and I encourage people to participate.
I also encourage people to learn more and provide additional input about the BRT system through the project website GetOnBoardBRT.com This new website will provide extensive information about BRT and the benefits it can bring to our community.
Through the website and social media, we'll be engaging you, your neighbors, commuters, business owners and others.
BRT is coming - and with it is coming new jobs, opportunities and a better quality of life right here in Montgomery County.
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Release ID: 16-074
November 17, 2016; 9 a.m.