Press Releases - Department of Transportation

MCDOT Ride On to Reinstate Real Time Bus Information and Improve Schedules this Sunday

Starting September 27, Ride On will provide more frequent service on 26 routes that have increased demand and eliminate some Saturday and Sunday service that was in place in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. These changes will bring service to nearly 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Read the press release, available in English or Spanish.

MCDOT Rolls Out First Ride On Electric Buses

County Executive Marc Elrich and other local officials unveiled the County’s first four electric Ride On buses at the David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center on September 3. Each of the 35-foot buses produce zero emissions during operations and also contribute to reducing noise pollution through their noticeably quiet operation. Learn more.

More Electric Bus News:

• Watch the press event and virtual remarks marking the occasion.
• WUSA9 article.
• Bethesda Beat article
• LocalDVM article

MCDOT's Wheaton Revitalization Project Completed On Time and On Budget

MCDOT successfully delivered a new downtown Wheaton center that is one of the largest projects of its kind ever built by the County. The Wheaton Revitalization project includes a 14-story office building designed to LEED Platinum standards; a new Town Square; underground parking; street level retail and pedestrian safety improvements

Read the special edition newsletter.  

MCDOT’s Full Service Mobile Commuter Store Reopens with New Safety Protocols

MCDOT's TRiPS, full-service, Mobile Commuter Store, a 38-foot Winnebago that travels around the County to various locations, has reopened. At the store, add value to or purchase regular and Senior SmarTrip cards, the Ride On Youth Cruiser Pass, other Ride On passes and MARC commuter rail passes. You also can also register and get key fobs for Capital Bikeshare and obtain transportation information, schedules and maps. Learn more about how staff are protecting customers.

Want to see the Mobile Store at a location near you? Submit your suggestion online at ow.ly/PvNf30rb4Tc.

Deadline Extended to October 16 for Public Input on I-495/I-270 Managed Lane Study 

County Executive Marc Elrich encourages residents to testify at the last in-person hearing in October to provide comment on the feasibility of adding tolled lanes to portions of I-495 and I-270. For those who do comment, be sure to send a copy of testimony or comments to the County Executive or County Council. Learn more.

MCDOT to Participate in Walkinar for Walktober

Join us for Maryland's first ever WALKTOBER, a month where the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other partnering agencies will promote and host events and webinars spotlighting Maryland pedestrians' safety, health, and commuting options in current walk programs and initiatives throughout October. The free webinars -or "Walkinars"- highlight how we can collectively rally around walking, an activity that is both central to the state's Active Transportation efforts and a critical component promoting public well-being. MCDOT's Sandra Brecher, Section Chief of Commuter Services, will represent the County on a Walkinar scheduled for October 29. Register for the Walkinars here.

Throughout Walktober learn about:

• The ease and accessibility of walking as exercise
• How to safely use pedestrian infrastructures
• How to incorporate walking in your daily routine within the provisions of social distancing and other restrictions.

Mark your calendar for Walk Maryland Day on October 7.  Learn more at mdot.maryland.gov/walktober.

MCDOT’s Highway Services Win Honorable Mention from Public Technology Institute for Snow IQ System

MCDOT's Division of Highway Services was awarded the 2020 Public Technology Institute (PTI) Solutions Award Honorable Mention for outstanding use of technology to improve services during the winter. MCDOT’s Snow IQ provides storm clean-up information to the public and staff in real-time. Learn more.

MCDOT Director Chris Conklin Discusses Department Actions Taken During the COVID-19 Health Crisis at WTS’s Virtual Meeting

On September 10, members of the Women Transportation Seminar (WTS) DC Chapter held an online Coffee Chat with Conklin and Strategic Innovations Manager Hannah Henn to discuss how MCDOT is responding to the COVID-19 health crisis. Read the WTS article for more details.

BUP Completes 'Paint the Town' Mural on MCDOT Garage

A new outdoor mural on the Woodmont - Rugby Garage is livening up downtown Bethesda. Sponsored by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, the contest was held in conjunction with MCDOT. Read BUP's press release.

More Woodmont Mural News:

• Bethesda Patch article. 
• Bethesda Magazine article.

Upcoming MCDOT Public Hearings and Meetings in September

Residents will have an opportunity to present virtual oral and/or written comments about the following projects:

September 29: Grove Street Neighborhood Greenway plans to improve  bicycle and pedestrian safety in downtown Silver Spring between Sligo Avenue and Bonifant Street.

September 30: North High Street Extension Facility Planning Study weights conceptual alternatives for a roadway extension of North High Street to Morningwood Drive in Olney that include improvements to pedestrian and bicyclist safety and enhanced connections. 

September 30: Childs Street and Rainbow Drive proposed sidewalk in Silver Spring.

Metro Service Cuts and Schedule Changes Coming

Metro will consider shorter hours, potential service cuts, schedule changes and other cost-cutting measures to balance its budget if Federal CARES Act Funding runs out. Read Metro's press release.

MCDOT to Provide Update on White Flint Project October 8

Join MCDOT in an online community meeting on October 8 to hear an update on the Western Workaround project in White Flint. To register for this online meeting visit cutt.ly/FOWF-Meeting.

Virtual Meeting on I-270 Transit Plan to be Held Later This Month

Montgomery Planning is considering potential transit opportunities that could serve the I-270 Corridor. The plan will take a strategic look at prioritizing travel options based on the County’s economic, environmental and community needs, and create a roadmap detailing the major steps to realize the highest-priority project(s). The virtual kick-off meeting is September 30 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more at montgomeryplanning.org/corridorforward.

Metro Riders Can Now Use Their Apple Devices to Pay for Rail and Bus 

SmarTrip® — the way to pay for Metro and all regional transit providers in the Washington, DC area  — is launching on iPhone and Apple Watch, giving riders new and unparalleled convenience. Riders can simply hold their device near the card reader to pay, rather than a physical card, anywhere SmarTrip is accepted, including rail, bus, and regional partners.

Pay for Ride On once fares are reinstated too. For more information, visit wmata.com/fares/Mobile.

MDOT SHA Begins Lane Extension Project on  I-270 in Montgomery County

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) started work on a $2.7 million improvement project on southbound I-270 (Eisenhower Highway) between MD 121 (Clarksburg Road) and MD 109 (Old Hundred Road) in Montgomery County.  Learn more.

View the Project Portal for a list of all MDOT SHA projects. For real-time traffic conditions on Maryland roadways, visit md511.maryland.gov​. 

Two Visualize 2045 Initiatives Reach a Milestone

Two initiatives were recently approved, the National Capital Trail Network and the Transit Access Focus Areas, that will create a network of bike trails that connect throughout the region and to make it easier to bike and walk to transit. Visualize 2045 is the federally mandated, long-range transportation plan for the National Capital Region that is developed by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board. Learn more at Visualize2045.org.  

Downtown Silver Spring Retail and Restaurant Customers Asked to Take Survey

Take a survey by Streetsense and the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation to describe your retail and restaurant customer experience in downtown Silver Spring. The survey will be used to develop a new initiative to assist independently owned restaurants and retail establishments adapt to new public health requirements and changing consumer spending habits in light of COVID-19.

Greater Washington Partnership Releases Results from Regional Transit Tracker and Return to Work Survey

The Greater Washington Partnership has created a new tool to help transit riders make decisions about how to safely use public transportation during the COVID-19 health crisis. The Capital COVID-19 Transit Tracker helps riders find the safest time to ride public transportation.

Findings from a newly-released Capital COVID Snapshot will help employers and public agencies collaboratively reopen the Capital Region's economy safely, gradually and sustainably.

Article on Flash Bus by Dan Reed, Greater Greater Washington, September 16, 2020

A recent article in Greater Greater Washington took a look at the new FLASH April Lane station and discussed the benefits of the 14-mile, transit line that will run along Route 29 (Colesville Road and Columbia Pike) from the Silver Spring Metro station to Burtonsville, making 11 stops along the way. Read full article.

Upcoming Rockville Pike (MD 355) Partial Road and Sidewalk Closures Through October 9

The northbound right lane of Rockville Pike (MD 355) between Tuckerman Lane and Strathmore Avenue (MD 547) will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the adjacent sidewalk will be closed continuously until October 9. Learn more.

Fill Out Your Census Form by Sept. 30 to Help Montgomery County

Montgomery County could lose out on $4.6 billion in federal funding over the next 10 years for schools, hospitals, roads and social services. It is vitally important that everyone participate by September 30. Learn more at montgomerycountymd.gov/census or
respond now.