MEDIA ADVISORY: Montgomery County Executive Elrich to Highlight Roadway Safety Projects and Vision Zero Initiative Progress on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Opening of New Bethesda Bikeway

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will be joined by County Council President Albornoz, Council Vice President Evan Glass, Councilmember Andrew Friedson, Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Chris Conklin and County Police Chief Marcus Jones at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, in Bethesda to highlight the progress the County is making under its Vision Zero Initiative to make roadways safer for walkers, bicyclists, scooters and drivers. The event will take place on the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda Avenue, across the street from the new protected bike lanes.

County Executive Elrich will release the Fiscal Year 2022 Vision Zero annual report and announce infrastructure highlights including the recently installed innovative bikeway project. After the formal event, there will be a ribbon cutting across the street on Woodmont Avenue to mark the completion of phase one of the MCDOT Bethesda Bikeway project. Weather permitting, Montgomery County Police will demonstrate its crosswalk enforcement procedures to get drivers to yield to pedestrians legally in the crosswalk and speed enforcement.

Vision Zero is the County’s initiative to end serious injuries and fatalities on roadways by 2030 through a multi-departmental effort to remake its transportation system safe for all users. The County Government invested $101.5 million for Vision Zero projects and operations in FY22 and increased the budget for roadway safety projects by 21 percent (to $123.1 million) in FY23.

WHAT:  Completion of the first phase of the Bethesda Bikeway project, highlights upcoming road safety projects, campaigns and release of the Vision Zero Initiative roadway safety annual report.

WHO:

• Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich
• Montgomery County Council President Gabe Albornoz
• Montgomery County Council Vice President Evan Glass
• Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson
• County Transportation Director Chris Conklin
• County Police Chief Marcus Jones
• County Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland

WHEN:  Wednesday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m.

WHERE:  Intersection of Woodmont Avenue and Bethesda Avenue in Downtown Bethesda, in the plaza in front of Anthropologie store.

VISUAL DEMONSTRATION:  After the press event, participants will take part in a ribbon cutting opening phase one of the Bethesda Bikeway lanes. Montgomery County Police, weather permitting, will demonstrate its crosswalk enforcement procedures to get drivers to yield to pedestrians legally in the crosswalk and speed enforcement. 

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Release ID: 22-149
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger, 240-205-1915