MCDOT Archives - Page 38 of 43

Long-Term Westbound Lane Closure on Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring Due to Purple Line Construction to Begin On or About January 30

Published January 30, 2023 at 10:56AM

Per MCDOT: On or about January 30, 2023, Maryland Department of Transportation crews will implement a long-term lane closure and new traffic configuration on Wayne Avenue between Sligo Creek Parkway and Mansfield Road in Silver Spring. This will impact Sligo Creek Trail and Sligo Cabin Neighborhood Park. A detour for the trail will be established around the work zone, and the parking lot will be closed. Please follow posted signage. Work may occur 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays and weekends, as needed for the next 12 months. Riders should be prepared for service delays on Ride On Bus Routes 12, 15, and 19.

For additional construction, updates visit the Purple Line project webpage at purplelinemd.com/construction/construction-updates. 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.

Look out for MCDOT’s Painted Snowplows (if it ever snows)

By MCS Staff

Published January 30, 2023 at 8:41AM

MCDOT held its first Paint the Plow Middle School Snowplow Naming Contest this past May, in honor of “Public Works Week.” There were 14 entries from local middle school students. If there’s plowable snow this winter, you may see the painted plows in action. The contest is free for schools and is a unique and fun way to introduce middle school students to some of the work done by MCDOT. The decorated plows are a part of MCDOT’s snow-clearing fleet and are used in neighborhoods the following winter.

The contest will run again this spring. Community members can visit MCDOT’s family-friendly “Truck Day” on Saturday, May 20 at the County Salt Barn, on Crabbs Branch Way in Gaithersburg, to cast their vote on the most creative painted plow. Last year’s winners and all entries can be seen online here.

Federal Increase in Pre-Tax Benefits Allotted for Employer Transit Expenses as Part of Montgomery County’s ‘Fareshare’ Program

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 5:27PM

Per MCDOT: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) “FareShare” Program announces that employees have more reason than ever to use public transportation to get to work. The Internal Revenue Service has increased the pre-tax limit for employer-provided commuting benefits to $300 per month, from $280 last year, including transit passes and vanpool fares for 2023.

With the recent increase in the Internal Revenue Service’s tax-free limit, commuters working in Montgomery County can receive the reimbursement by asking their employers to set up a commuting benefits program. MCDOT’s “FareShare” program will reimburse employers for all but $25 per month of their employees’ costs for commuting, up to $300 per month. The money is tax-free to both the employee and the employer.

Ride On Bus Will Be Increasing Frequency on 31 Routes Starting This Sunday, January 29

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 5:19PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will increase service on 31 Ride On bus routes starting Sunday, Jan. 29. The increases are part of the adjustments to 44 routes overall to improve efficiency based on ridership. Throughout the year, ridership data and on-time performance are monitored regularly to identify routes that could achieve increased efficiency with schedule updates.

“Public transit that is reliable and on time is critical to the people who count on it,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It is a best practice to regularly evaluate and adjust bus service to ensure needs are being met. Dependable and reliable bus service leads to increased ridership which supports our sustainability efforts, reduces congestion and increases the quality of life for our residents.”

Ride On Bus Will Be Increasing Frequency on 31 Routes Starting Sunday, January 29

By MCS Staff

Published January 14, 2023 at 9:59AM

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will increase service on 31 Ride On bus routes starting Sunday, Jan. 29. The increases are part of the adjustments to 44 routes overall to improve efficiency based on ridership. Throughout the year, ridership data and on-time performance are monitored regularly to identify routes that could achieve increased efficiency with schedule updates.

“Public transit that is reliable and on time is critical to the people who count on it,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It is a best practice to regularly evaluate and adjust bus service to ensure needs are being met. Dependable and reliable bus service leads to increased ridership which supports our sustainability efforts, reduces congestion and increases the quality of life for our residents.” Montgomery County bus route changes starting Jan. 29 will include:

Transportation Holiday Schedule for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16

By Patrick Herron

Published January 11, 2023 at 5:42PM

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Montgomery County Will Be Increasing Frequency on 31 Ride On Bus Routes Starting Sunday, Jan. 29

By Patrick Herron

Published January 10, 2023 at 12:45PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will increase service on 31 Ride On bus routes starting Sunday, Jan. 29. The increases are part of the adjustments to 44 routes overall to improve efficiency based on ridership.

Throughout the year, ridership data and on-time performance are monitored regularly to identify routes that could achieve increased efficiency with schedule updates.

Norfolk Avenue Streetery Survey Open Through Tuesday, Jan. 31

By Patrick Herron

Published January 8, 2023 at 11:07AM

“The map on this page shows the current extent of the Streetery on Norfolk Avenue in red (between Del Ray Avenue and St Elmo Avenue). The project study area is shown with a dotted black line. The study area extends along Norfolk Avenue from Rugby Avenue to Woodmont Avenue. The study area also includes cross streets, approximately 100 feet in both directions from Norfolk Avenue.”

Per MCDOT: Have you been to the Streetery on Norfolk Avenue between Del Ray Avenue and St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda? Montgomery County is thinking about the future of this street and wants to hear from you. Please share your thoughts on the online survey so that MCDOT can make informed decisions with our community’s feedback in mind. The survey will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes of your time. Take the online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/PDRZ8K3. For 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.

Montgomery County Holiday Transportation Schedule for New Year’s Weekend, Saturday, Dec. 31, Through Monday, Jan. 2

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 9:41AM

View additional County holiday schedules here.

WMATA Begins Phase 3 of Temporary Bus Bay Relocations at the Wheaton Metro Station on Jan. 9, 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 9:39AM

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 at montgomerycountymd.gov/govdelivery, or texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts.

Petition Started to Remove Bike Lanes on Old Georgetown Road

By MCS Staff

Published December 27, 2022 at 6:09PM

A change.org petition has been started to remove the bike lanes that were recently added to Old Georgetown Road (MD187) in North Bethesda. MDOT converted one travel lane in each direction of the road, between south of I-495 and north of Nicholson Lane, to a buffered bicycle lane that include flex posts and green pavement. The remaining 11-foot travel lanes have also been narrowed to 10.5 and 10 feet.

According to the petition, “There are serious safety concerns regarding the new bike lanes on Old Georgetown Road (Maryland State Route 187) in Bethesda, MD. This heavily-trafficked 6-lane major highway has been reduced by 39% by removing 2 driving lanes and by reducing the width of the 4 remaining driving lanes. This ill-advised change was made in order to add 2 bike lanes with white plastic spikes separating the bike lanes from the driving lanes. This busy highway serves schools, the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University, Suburban Hospital, and the Bethesda Fire Station. It is often used by emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, and police cars. Reduced by 39% in driving capacity, the road now is consistently congested, with back-to-back traffic even in the middle of the day in good weather. This non-stop traffic has resulted in cars trying to avoid the gridlock by cutting through quiet residential side streets where children play. Ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles, buses, and drivers in their personal cars can no longer quickly reach their destinations, potentially endangering many lives.”