With traffic congestion costing U.S. drivers an average of 51 hours and $869 during 2022, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best & Worst States to Drive in. Maryland ranked as the 5th worst state to drive in.
To determine the most driver-friendly states in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 50 states across 31 key metrics. The data set ranges from average gas prices to rush-hour traffic congestion to road quality.
Updated with additional information
Montgomery County Police issued a traffic advisory, at 8:05am on Sunday morning, that states Muncaster Mill Rd. is is closed between Windsor Manor Lane and Sycamore Lane due to a traffic collision. Per the advisory, drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and significant delays are expected.
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:
North and southbound Route 355 are closed between Halpine Road and Congressional Plaza in Rockville as the result of fire rescue activity, according to Montgomery County Police. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and to expect significant delays.
Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue services reports that a vehicle was on fire and had burning fuel running into the roadway. The fire has been extinguished and there are no injuries reported. We will post an update when additional information becomes available. Video below:
Per Purple Line MD: On or about January 23, 2023, crews will begin work on the Purple Line’s Silver Spring Library station located at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library. Access to the library and businesses surrounding the library including Bonifant Street will be maintained at all times. ADA-compliant pedestrian access will be maintained to and around the library via Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street. Pedestrian pathways will change intermittently around the work zone; please follow on- site signage. Fencing will be installed to delineate the work zone immediately followed by excavation, utility relocations, systems, and trackwork. Access to Bonifant Street will remain one-way, eastbound from Georgia Avenue. Construction may occur 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays and weekends, as needed through December 2023. Please note that weather and unforeseen conditions may impact work schedule.
Featured photo courtesy of MCDOT
More – SB I270 Spur IAO Fernwood Rd, prior to Democracy Blvd, collision, some lanes blocked pic.twitter.com/NKpT4JAULN
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 11, 2023
Per the City of Rockville: A project to make Rockville Town Center safer for pedestrians and bicyclists by calming traffic kicked off Nov. 21 as city staff and the city’s contractor discussed the construction schedule for the Town Center Road Diets Project. At a kickoff meeting, city staff and the city’s contractor, discussed the construction schedule for the project, including a projected completion date of early fall 2023.
Ardent Company will construct the project. It will improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety by narrowing the two travel lanes on both North Washington Street and East Middle Lane to one lane in each direction, and by creating protected bike lanes, parking, and signage. The project will also widen the sidewalk on the south side of East Middle Lane between North Washington Street and Maryland Avenue. Ardent Company plans to order construction materials and begin small portions of the construction in January or February, depending on weather conditions and material availability. However, the major work will begin in March 2023.
City of Rockville contractors recently completed construction of a shared-use path near Rockville High School and are turning their attention to sidewalk installation on Baltimore Road and Broadwood Drive as work continues along the corridor between Rockville Town Center and the city’s east side.
In late fall, contractors finished installing a pervious, shared-use path, curb and gutter on the south side of Baltimore Road between the Rockville High School driveway and Twinbrook Parkway. Crews also installed storm drain between Edmonston Drive and Avery Road and near Broadwood Drive, and completed permanent roadway striping between First Street and Edmonston Drive.
The Action Committee for Transit is hosting a rally in support of the Maryland State Highway Administration’s decision to improve safety on nearly two miles of MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) in North Bethesda. The safety improvements on MD 187, between south of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Nicholson Lane, converted one travel lane in each direction in order to add buffered bicycle lanes and the installation of flex posts to outline the new bicycle lanes.
“Please join us on Sunday, January 8, to show support for the State Highway Administration’s decision to enact a road diet when replacing a portion of Old Georgetown Road. Biking? Meet at 10:30 am at Medical Center Metro Or 11:00 am at Old Georgetown Rd & West Cedar Ln. Then ride the Old Georgetown bike lanes to Nicholson Ln and back! Walking or rolling? Meet at 11:15 am at Old Georgetown Rd & Tuckerman Ln, then walk or roll past future Woodward HS to Edson Ln (0.8 miles) or Nicholson Ln (1.6 miles) and back (Parking at Timberlawn Local Park, 10800 Gloxinia Dr) Short rally for safety at West Cedar Ln, after the ride!”
Per Purple Line MD: On or about January 16, 2023, crews will implement long-term lane closures and a new traffic configuration on Wayne Avenue between Sligo Creek Parkway and Fenton Street. Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction for approximately 18 months for installation of a new storm drain system, curbs, and sidewalk reconstruction.
Residents will have access to their properties and driveways on Wayne Avenue through the construction zone. Pedestrian access will be maintained by always keeping one sidewalk either on the north or south side of Wayne Avenue open around the work zone. On-street parking in the work zones will be prohibited and bus stop access will be maintained. Please follow on-site signage. Work may occur 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays and weekends, as needed. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
A Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) bridge rehabilitation project is bringing Safe Zones Automated Speed Enforcement (“speed cameras”) back to the Beltway. This project involves the rehabilitation of the bridge carrying I-95 above the Outer Loop of the Beltway (I-495 West) within the I-495/I-95 interchange in College Park. Contractor crews will be repairing the bridge’s deck joints as well as its concrete piers and columns.
The Automated Speed Enforcement is focused on traffic on the Outer Loop of the Beltway, just past the split with I-95 North, headed towards New Hampshire Avenue and into Montgomery County. In a written statement, the State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) highlighted the different phases of this Automated Speed Enforcement effort: