Press Releases - Department of Transportation

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 15, 2023

On Thursday, March 30 starting at 6 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold an online public meeting to discuss a new dedicated bus lane pilot project along the University Boulevard (MD 193) corridor between Amherst and Dennis Avenues in Silver Spring. If supported, the bus lane will launch this summer/fall. This dedicated bus lane, shared with bikes and emergency vehicles, will reduce traffic congestion for buses on the route and provide faster and more reliable service for riders. The meeting will share information, answer questions and allow for MCDOT to receive community feedback.

The bus lane will be clearly identified with signs and pavement markings, and there will be no changes to existing parking or loading.

MCDOT provides for the planning, design and construction of improvements to bus service. The Bus Priority Project includes multiple projects that improve local bus timing, ease of access and safety such as marked dedicated bus lanes; queue jumps; passenger boarding and alighting improvements; implementation of transit signal priority; enhanced bus stops; and other similar improvements that will increase reliability and result in faster buses throughout Montgomery County.

Dedicated Bus Lanes have been implemented on Crystal Rock Drive and Aircraft Road in Germantown and are also being proposed for Georgia Avenue between 16th St. NW and Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring. Additional dedicated bus lanes are planned for other areas in Montgomery County.

Online registration is required to attend. An invitation to participate will be emailed to registrants the morning of the meeting. Meeting information, including questions and comments, will become a matter of public record.

Prior to the virtual meeting, the public is encouraged to review the project website here.

Residents who participate in a related online feedback survey will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.

In addition to the community meeting, MCDOT hosted a pop-up event on Tuesday, March 14 at the Wheaton Metro Station and will host another pop-up event on Thursday, March 16 from 4 - 6 p.m. at University Boulevard and Arcola Avenue area bus stops, near Northwood High School.

Please note that the Montgomery County’s Planning Department is also doing a corridor study of University Boulevard, separate from this project.

Interpreter services will be provided upon request, with five business days advance notice, by contacting Gary Erenrich at 240-777-7156 or [email protected].

For the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. In addition, information is available at RideOnBus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts, or by texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts.

For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

# # #

Release ID: 23-035
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta, 240-372-2282