Leggett Hails $10 Million Federal Grant for County Bus Rapid Transit Along Route 29

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 28, 2016

County Executive Ike Leggett today hailed the news that Montgomery County has been selected by the United States Department of Transportation for a $10 million TIGER grant (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) to help fund a 14-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along US 29. The TIGER program is merit-based and highly competitive (just $500 million was appropriated by Congress in FY16 for the entire country).

The County’s TIGER grant request supports the County Executive’s decision earlier this year to include $6.5 million in the Capital Budget for the planning and design of a US 29 BRT with the intent of “getting this route up and running in less than four years.”

“This funding is a big boost for our Bus Rapid Transit plans along Route 29,” said Leggett. “This project demonstrates our commitment to improving job creation and mobility options on the eastern edge of the County and enhancing economic opportunities for residents living within a half-mile of this highly congested suburban corridor. 

“I want to thank our Congressional delegation -- Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, and Representatives Chris Van Hollen, John Sarbanes and John Delaney -- for ‘going to bat’ for the County and coming through with this important funding.”

“I am grateful for our federal partners for recognizing how critical BRT is to our county’s future,” said Councilmember Roger Berliner. “These dollars will help make BRT a reality on Route 29 and serve as a catalyst for the countywide network, including Rockville Pike (MD 355) and Viers Mill Road (MD 586).  Expanding transit options in Montgomery County is critical to our community’s future, both from a mobility perspective and as a social justice issue, so I am very pleased to see this project moving forward.”

“This TIGER grant provides $10 million to get us closer to our goal of having the first BRT in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland,” said Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director Al Roshdieh. “Our plans will greatly enhance bus travel along US 29 while expanding pedestrian and bike access. This is another significant milestone in our efforts to make Montgomery County a more transit-oriented, ‘walkable’ and ‘bikeable’ community.”

US 29 is the busiest transit corridor in Montgomery County. The US 29 BRT will provide immediate, positive benefits to the diverse population living within one-half mile of the planned BRT stations, support smart growth development and provide future connections to the Purple Line.

The BRT will use existing roadway pavement when possible to minimize the need for new infrastructure improvements. The bus will operate on managed lanes, the road shoulder and, in a small portion, mixed traffic. The new BRT service will border Prince George’s and Howard counties and link a continuous corridor of suburban centers, highway developments, shopping centers, federal offices, neighborhoods, a regional park and ride lot and job centers in Silver Spring. With 12 stations, the project will expedite transit travel by bus in a highly congested corridor and expand other travel options with 10 new bike share stations and ADA sidewalk upgrades.

The estimated project cost is $67 million.

 

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Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Esther Bowring 240-777-6513