Press Releases - Department of Transportation

For Immediate Release: Monday, September 23, 2019

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) today released a Request for Information (RFI) to gather knowledge in best practices, emerging technologies and innovative opportunities for implementing a cost-effective Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service along MD 355 from Bethesda to Clarksburg. Responses to the RFI are due on December 6, 2019.

FLASH, the BRT system in development in Montgomery County, will greatly increase high-quality transit service to the County’s most densely developed corridors and areas of planned growth. With the first corridor currently under construction on US 29 between Silver Spring and Burtonsville, seven additional corridors totaling over 100 miles have been identified for BRT in the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan. An Alternatives Study for the MD 355 BRT project was recently completed.

MCDOT is leading the effort to better understand the opportunities associated with implementing a BRT system and would like to explore methods of project design, procurement, and financing. The Department is seeking input from firms with experience in innovative project delivery, including private financial participation, novel design, construction, and operating strategies for BRT. MCDOT would also like to gauge interest from industry on the market availability of these services.

“The FLASH will change people’s attitudes about using transit for their day-to-day mobility needs,” said MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh. “We are eager to learn from other innovators as we envision and build this critical new transportation infrastructure.”

The considerations and questions included in the RFI cover a broad range of topics to maximize MCDOT’s understanding of the existing and emerging technology of state-of-the-art BRT systems, and approaches to implementing, operating, maintaining, and financing the system. Firms considering replying need not respond to all subjects included in the RFI.

More information on the MD 355 BRT Planning Study can be found at: https://www.ridetheflash.com/md355/.

Release ID: 19-156
Media Contact: Maureen McNulty 240-777-7199