Travel Archives - Page 24 of 42

State Highway Administration in Midst of Roadside Litter Cleanup Program

Published August 30, 2023 at 4:01PM

Per Montgomery County: The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) this week launched an all-hands-on-deck litter and debris removal effort aimed at removing litter from its roadsides prior to Labor Day weekend. SHA maintenance shop personnel have been spanning the State to beautify roadsides as part of its “Operation Clean Sweep Maryland” project. In addition to making roadways look better, the project has additional goals.

Litter, including plastic bottles, fast food containers and cigarette butts, can wind up in highway drainage systems and clog the system or cause slow drainage. This creates dangerous conditions, such as ponding of water during storms. Litter that makes it past drainage systems can enter streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay and poses a threat to wildlife habitats.

Gov. Moore Announces He Will Move Forward With Controversial I-495 and I-270 Corridor Expansion Project

By MCS Staff

Published August 22, 2023 at 8:03AM

Per the Maryland Department of Transportation: “Governor Wes Moore today announced a path forward in addressing mobility and access challenges along the American Legion Bridge, I-495 and I-270, with the submission of a formal federal grant application for improvements to those corridors. This application advances a critical piece of the Moore-Miller program for multimodal enhancements in the Washington region along the I-495 and I-270 corridors.

“Transportation is not just about physical mobility; it’s about quality of life, access and opportunity,” said Governor Moore. “The transportation network throughout Maryland and the National Capital Region must be able to get people where they need to go in a timely and reliable manner. Providing long-desired, equitable transportation solutions in the American Legion Bridge and I-270 corridors is critical to eliminating employment barriers, linking more people to high-demand jobs and stimulating local economies.”

Collision Closes All Lanes of I-270 S Prior to Democracy Blvd Thursday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2023 at 8:45AM | Updated August 10, 2023 at 9:54AM

Per the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, “Fire department activity blocks 4 lanes of SB I-270 just prior to Exit 1/Democracy Blvd. Only the right lane gets by. Expect significant delays. Seek alternate route. #MdTraffic” We will post an update when additional information is available.

Update – SB I270 Spur IAO Westlake Ter Bridge/ramp, collision, involves several vehicles, incl overturned truck/vehicle, 2patients carrying pesticides, @mcfrs HM707, SU725, BC702, BC704, PE726, PE733, T710, A726, A710, EMS702 PE720 T725, BC7O3 assisting, some lanes blocked

One Dead, Nine Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Tuesday Night

By MCS Staff

Published August 2, 2023 at 5:57AM

Maryland State Police are investigating a multi-vehicle crash in which one person died and nine others were injured late Tuesday evening in Montgomery County.

Per Maryland State Police: Shortly before 11:45 p.m., the Rockville Barrack received numerous calls for a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 270, near Rockledge Drive. According to a preliminary investigation, a white Mercedes SUV, driven by Jayleen Hannor, 23, of Macon, Georgia, continued southbound in the northbound lanes of I-270, to the outer loop of I-495.

‘Road to Sprawl: The Intercounty Connector & the Limits of Mobility, Development and Land Preservation’ Presentation Starting Monday, July 31

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 1:12AM | Updated July 27, 2023 at 3:12PM

Per Montgomery County: The history behind the plan and building of the Inter-County Connector is the focus of a free online presentation from Montgomery History that will be available for a one-week period starting Monday, July 31. John Spiers, a visiting assistant history professor at Boston College, will lead “Road to Sprawl: The Intercounty Connector and the Limits of Mobility, Development and Land Preservation.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Spiers has presented looks at the histories of how communities throughout the U.S. have evolved. In 2011, one of his presentations at the Montgomery County History Conference was “The Long and Winding Road: A History of the Intercounty Connector, 1950-2006.”

Governor Wes Moore Announces Nearly $1 Million in Maryland Highway Safety Grants

By Patrick Herron

Published July 13, 2023 at 11:32AM

Per the State of Maryland (7.12.23): Governor Wes Moore today announced the distribution of nearly $1 million in state highway safety grants to 33 organizations and law enforcement agencies for initiatives to promote pedestrian and bicyclist safety and local strategic highway safety plans. Funds will be dispersed by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.

“These highway safety grants are instrumental in building a transportation system that works for all Marylanders,” said Gov. Moore. “We all must make safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians a top priority while empowering communities to work at the grassroots level to improve access and save lives.”

MCFRS Respond to Single Vehicle Rollover Thursday Afternoon

By Patrick Herron

Published July 6, 2023 at 4:02PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS) responded to a single vehicle rollover on Thursday, July 6. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred around 1pm on southbound Georgia Ave at MD200 when the driver of the vehicle apparently failed to navigate the exit ramp. The driver was trapped after the collision and then extricated. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

(~1p) SB Georgia Av, at MD200, Single vehicle rollover (apparently failed to navigate exit ramp) – trapped & then extricated, @MCFRS_EMIHS A724, PE740, T725, RS742, OC700, EMS704, SA700, DC700 responded pic.twitter.com/xer6X6SPQi

MCFRS Respond to Vehicle Fire Thursday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Published July 6, 2023 at 11:50AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a vehicle fire on Thursday, June 6, around 11:30am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred on the outloop I-495 in the area of River Rd, near exit 41. The vehicle was “well-involved” when firefighters arrived at the scene. Some lanes are currently blocked and drivers should expect residual delays.

We will post an update when additional information is available. Photo courtesy of @ch3lsxaa on Instagram.

Tractor Trailer Crash Shuts Down I-495S at I-270 Spur

By MCS Staff

Published June 21, 2023 at 7:57PM

Tractor Trailer Crash occurred at I-495 SB (Outer Loop) at the I-270 Spur in Montgomery County, MD. All lanes of the Outer Loop are blocked. Delays are approximately 1.5 miles.

Per our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, Maryland State Police, Montgomery County Police, and MDSHA working to divert traffic off the Outer Loop of the Beltway (I-495 West) on to MD-187/Old Georgetown Road. Tonight’s crash, which involved 2 tractor-trailers, occurred shortly after 7PM. Featured photo courtesy of MDOT.

MD 355 Flash BRT Project Update

By MCS Staff

Published June 14, 2023 at 6:01AM | Updated June 14, 2023 at 7:51AM

A briefing on the MD 355 BRT was provided to the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council on Tuesday night. Per the presentation, available below, the MD 355 BRT will provide a new transit service with greater travel speed and frequency along the MD 355 corridor that will help:

The MD 355 BRT has completed the Preliminary Engineering phase between Grosvenor and Montgomery  College – Germantown. Preliminary Engineering is continuing for the Bethesda and Clarksburg segments (Fall 2023 completion), NEPA documentation is underway, there is ongoing coordination with FTA, and they are currently preparing procurement for Progressive Design-Build. Full presentation below:

Update: All Lanes Reopen on I-270 After Incident Involving Person Threatening to Jump is Resolved

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2023 at 1:57PM

All travel lanes have reopened on I-270 after a police incident closed local lanes at Falls Road on Wednesday, June 7. According to Rockville Police, “Around 11:00 a.m. this morning RCPD officers responded to the Northbound exit Ramp at Falls Road for the report of an individual threatening to jump. Out of an abundance of caution, the northbound local lanes were closed down as well as the exit ramp. After about two hours of successful negations, the individual willingly agreed to be taken into police custody and transported for medical assistance. All lanes of traffic have been reopened.”

The Montgomery County MD Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS) tweeted the following at 11:35am on Wednesday, June 7: “Severe Traffic Alert – I-270 NB Local Lanes – Traffic incident closes all northbound local lanes of I-270 at Exit 5 Falls Road. Expect significant delays. Seek alternate route. #mdtraffic”