Montgomery County Continues Stay At Home Order Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles announced that the County joined other large jurisdictions in Maryland in continuing a stay-at-home order for now. Relaxation of the order will occur when the COVID-19 data show it is safe to do so. County officials are asking residents to remain vigilant in practicing preventive measures. Read more.

Montgomery County COVID-19 Data Dashboard

MCDOT  to Receive $30 Million Federal Funding for Transit  MCDOT will receive $30.2 million from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to support Ride On bus operations during and after the COVID-19 health crisis. The funds will help mitigate the financial impact that COVID-19 has had on the County’s transit system. Read more.

Montgomery County May Soon Begin Reopening Process Montgomery County could begin a phased reopening in the next week or two, according to County Health Officer Travis Gayles, though a specific date has not been publicly targeted. Gayles said on a virtual media briefing Wednesday that the county, one of the hardest-hit jurisdictions in the region during the coronavirus pandemic, has seen positive trends on key benchmarks such as hospitalizations and the average number of daily cases. Read Biz Journal article.

MCDOT’s Ride On Depot Chiefs Recognized for Outstanding Service  Every week during the COVID-19 health crisis, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Chief Administrative Officer Andrew Kleine recognize County employees who are “High Risers” -- those who have risen to the challenge of the COVID-19 health crisis after facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles and transforming them into attainable realities. MCDOT is very proud that its three Ride On depot chiefs, Allan Watts, Andre Lucas and James Ryan, are the latest employees to be recognized for establishing Ride On depot COVID-19 procedures, protocols and operations to better protect employees and residents. Read more.

MobileNOW! Parking Payment App Ceases Operation Due to COVID-19 Health Crisis; Parkmobile App Still Available at All County-Operated Parking Locations On the same day that operations ended, MCDOT received notification that one of the two mobile parking payment app providers, MobileNOW!, is no longer in business. MobileNow! was an option for parking payments at County-owned on-street meters, parking garages and lots. Parkmobile, the other parking app alternative, continues to offer pay-by-phone parking payment, and customers can download the app or create a new account at Parkmobile’s website. Read more

Face Covering Required for Essential Travel on Ride On Buses Ride On passengers are required to wear face coverings —which may include a cloth mask, bandana or scarf—and use it to cover the mouth and nose before boarding the bus. Buses will have a limited supply of face coverings on board for passengers who cannot provide their own. Bus service is being provided for essential travel only, and the number of passengers on each bus will be limited to allow for safe social distancing. Read more.

METRO Requires Face Coverings The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced that face coverings or masks are now required when traveling on Metro. While the overwhelming majority of riders already comply voluntarily to CDC guidelines, the requirement is viewed as a necessary step as Metro plans for an eventual recovery with more riders using the system. View the press release.

Bikeshare and Lyft E-Scooters Extend Free Essential Worker Program to June 30 Capital Bikeshare and Lyft Electric Scooters have extended their essential worker program that gives essential employers and workers, including those in the healthcare, food service, and food retailer industries, free, unlimited, 30-day Bikeshare and Lyft e-scooter memberships allowing access to unlimited, 30-minute bike trips and e-scooter trips.

MCDOT Held Virtual Project Briefing About Seminary Road Project On May 7, MCDOT shared information virtually on its ongoing work underway on Seminary Road, as well as some work around Riley Place in the Montgomery Hills area. MCDOT is constructing bike lanes and sidewalks. MCDOT continues offering the public real-time interactions with MCDOT project staff and recording the briefings for later viewing by those who are unable to participate.  Learn more about MCDOT’s engineering and construction projects by following @MoCo_DTE on twitter, or visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/currentprojects/index.html.

Metro Shares Preliminary Recovery Plan  Metro has released preliminary details of its COVID-19 pandemic recovery plan, outlining its strategies for ramping up service, while protecting customers and employees. The plan anticipates gradual recovery of regional mobility in a flexible and phased approach. Read more.  Also, the CARES Act will help fund Metro's increased expenses driven by these enhanced safety measures and the unprecedented drop in fare revenue due to COVID-19. Read Washington Post Article.

Wheaton Revitalization Project Experiences Some Delays Due to COVID-19 The Wheaton Revitalization Project is about 98 percent complete. However, progress on the project has been hampered by COVID-19 impacts on labor and materials. The completion date for the project remains fluid, with a target date of sometime this summer. MCDOT is constructing the Wheaton Revitalization Project, which will provide a government office building, below ground parking garage, and a town square. Learn more about the project.

Executive Boulevard to Close as Progress Continues on MCDOT's White Flint Project Progress continues on MCDOT's project to construct a new, more walkable, more bikeable and more inviting urban street grid in the Pike District. Executive Boulevard between the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center entrance and Old Georgetown Road will permanently close next week to make way for the realignment of the street to connect to Pike & Rose as well as the realignment of the future Old Georgetown Road and Towne Road intersection. Read more.

Bay Bridge Now Has All-Electronic Tolling System   The Maryland Transportation Authority has put cashless tolling in place on the Bay Bridge and statewide to protect drivers and toll collectors by eliminating interactions during the COVID-19 health crisis. Motorists who do not already have an E-ZPass® can enroll at ezpassmd.com to pay lower toll rates on the now-permanent electronic system.

Auto Club Offers Free Roadside Assistance For Health Care Workers And First Responders, Member Or Not AAA, the premier roadside assistance provider for more than 100 years, is offering local heroes a little peace of mind as they work to keep our communities safe and healthy.  Learn more.

May 22, 2020

Don't Forget to Submit Your Census!

Transportation-Related Holiday Schedule for Memorial Day

• County Offices – Closed.
• Ride On – Essential Plan.
• Metrorail/Metrobus –
  www.wmata.com.
• TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center –  Open.
• Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – Free.

MCDOT's Virtual Safety Week a Big Success

May is National Bike Month

MCDOT Closes Portion of Arlington Road to Vehicles on Weekends

Testing Helpline Now Available for County Residents

Have Questions? Call 311