Travel Archives - Page 29 of 42

New Law Takes Effect This Saturday, October 1; Governor Hogan Proclaims October as Move Over Awareness Month

Published September 29, 2022 at 1:46PM

“Moving over and slowing down when passing a vehicle stopped on the highway isn’t just a matter of following the law—it is about saving lives,” said Governor Hogan. “This is especially critical to protect the crews and first responders who are working on the roads within inches of fast-moving traffic. We can all do our part to make sure that everyone gets where they’re going safely.”

The governor is issuing this proclamation today as part of a unified statewide effort—including an event being held this afternoon in Upper Marlboro featuring attendees from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), the Maryland General Assembly, and AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Overturned Tractor Trailer Closes Several Lanes of MD200 on Monday

By Patrick Herron

Published September 26, 2022 at 12:08PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene of a collision Monday morning around 10am that involved an overturned tractor trailer. The incident occurred on the ICC (MD200) prior to US-29. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, HazMat is currently on the scene to clean the fuel spill (Maryland Department of Energy is pumping off 150 gallons of diesel.)

I-270 & Beltway Toll Lanes to Be Built By Tutor Perini

By MCS Staff

Published September 22, 2022 at 8:18AM

Tutor Perini Corporation, a civil, building and specialty construction company, announced that it has been selected by Accelerate Maryland Partners LLC (“AM Partners”) as the design and construction contractor for Phase 1 South of the New American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief Plan, one of the largest civil works projects ever undertaken in the United States. Tutor Perini was selected by AM Partners to design and construct both the Phase 1 South A and Phase 1 South B components of the project. Tutor Perini’s team includes O&G Industries (for Phase 1 South A), the Company’s subsidiary – Lunda Construction (for Phase 1 South B), as well as Parsons Corporation as the lead designer for both Phase 1 South A and B components.

Phase 1 South and Phase 1 North of the New American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief Plan are expected to generate $12.6 billion in construction-related economic activity, support 43,400 job-years of employment (a job-year is one job lasting for one year) and boost regional labor income by more than $3.3 billion, based on a 2022 assessment report conducted by the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Phase 1 South is a multi-billion dollar construction project.

Brookeville Road Closure Extended Into November

By Cordell Pugh

Published September 20, 2022 at 5:17PM

On September 19, the Maryland State Highway Administration announced that the current closure of Brookeville Road, between Georgia Avenue (MD-97) ,and Grayheaven Manor Road, has been extended through late November. According to the State Highway Administration, the newly–extended duration of the Brookeville Road closure will allow contractors to efficiently complete Brookeville Bypass construction tasks.

MD 97 has a 90-degree curve at Market Street, which is accompanied by a steep hill.

California Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearm Following Traffic Stop

By Patrick Herron

Published September 20, 2022 at 1:22PM

On Friday, September 16, 2022, at approximately 6:21 p.m., officers were patrolling the area of Shady Grove Rd. when they observed a silver 2020 Nissan Altima commit a traffic violation. Officers followed the Nissan and pulled it over in the area of I-270 north and Montgomery Village Ave. Officers approached the Nissan and made contact with Walter Prince, who was an occupant in the Nissan. Officers then obtained probable cause to search the Nissan.

A search of the Nissan revealed a Glock 9mm handgun attached to a kit that allowed the Glock to fire fully automatic. In addition, a loaded drum magazine, a thirty-round magazine, two 10-round magazines and multiple rounds of ammunition were recovered from the Nissan.

New Maryland Child Passenger Safety Law to Keep Children Rear Facing Until 2-Years-Old

By Francesca Luca

Published September 15, 2022 at 3:14PM | Updated September 15, 2022 at 4:11PM

Per Zero Deaths Maryland, “In April 2022, Maryland lawmakers passed SB 176, a bill that will upgrade the state’s law that protects children traveling on our roadways. The new law goes into effect on October 1, 2022, and states that children must be kept rear-facing until at least two years of age, unless the child meets or exceeds the height and weight on the seat’s guidelines. Having a seat that properly fits the child is also another important consideration. SB 176 brought Maryland in line with laws in 16 other states (CA, CT, IL, LA, ME, NE, NJ, NY, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, WA) and the District of Columbia.”

In April 2022, Maryland lawmakers passed SB 176, a bill that will upgrade the state’s law that protects children traveling on our roadways. The new law goes into effect on October 1, 2022, and states that children must be kept rear-facing until at least two years of age, unless the child meets or exceeds the height and weight on the seat’s guidelines. Having a seat that properly fits the child is also another important consideration. SB 176 brought Maryland in line with laws in 16 other states (CA, CT, IL, LA, ME, NE, NJ, NY, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, WA) and the District of Columbia.

Statement from Councilmember Hucker on Federal Highway Administration’s Decision to Delay Action on Managed Lanes Project

By Patrick Herron

Published August 8, 2022 at 12:01PM

“This decision sends a message that our federal partners are united with us in our commitment to multi-modal, environmentally friendly, 21st century traffic solutions that actually work.

“After four years of organizing and advocacy for our County taxpayers, this is a big win for commuters, taxpayers and the environment. This decision reflects all the information Congressman Anthony Brown and I conveyed to Sec. Pete Buttigieg. I’m grateful to my Council colleagues, County Executive Marc Elrich and Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson, who have been consistent advocates for common-sense traffic solutions and community input. I am equally grateful to all the community members and stakeholders who have provided input and voiced their concerns throughout this process.

Ride On Bus to Resume Collecting Fares One Week From Today, Monday, Aug. 1, with New Rate Set at $1

By Patrick Herron

Published July 25, 2022 at 8:28AM

The one-way pre-pandemic fare was $2 per ride. Monthly passes, which were $45 per rider prior to the health crisis, will be $22.50 starting Aug. 1. The new fares were supported by County Executive Marc Elrich and approved by the County Council in May.

County bus fares will be free for seniors (age 65 and older), persons with disabilities and youth under 19 (older if still in high school). Specialized SmartTrip cards are needed and can be obtained through the MCDOT Mobile Commuter Store, Silver Spring TRiPS Commuter Store, any County library or the Montgomery County Division of Treasury in Rockville. Students can also obtain their specialized ‘Youth Cruiser’ card through their school.

MCFRS Respond to Vehicle Fire on I-495 Sunday Afternoon

By Patrick Herron

Published July 17, 2022 at 4:17PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a vehicle fire that occurred just past Old Georgetown Rd on the outer loop of I-495 on Sunday around 2pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the vehicle was located in the middle lanes of the highway and was “well involved” when firefighters arrived. As of 4pm, all lanes have reopened.

Vehicle fire on Beltway between old Georgetown Road and River Road, vehicle well involved in flame when @mcfrs firefighters arrived @MontgomeryCoMD @mdsha all lanes open around 3 PM pic.twitter.com/poxKfWFu6q

Update: Detectives Investigating Fatal Collision on ICC, Identity of Deceased Motorcyclist Released

By Patrick Herron

Published July 15, 2022 at 4:32PM

On Thursday, July 14, at approximately 7:28 p.m., an on-duty Montgomery County Police Officer notified the Emergency Communications Center that he had been involved in a collision on the ICC between Georgia Ave. and Shady Grove Rd. The officer was driving west on MD 200 in his marked patrol car, when a motorcycle crashed into the back of the officer’s cruiser, a 2018 Dodge Charger.

The driver of the motorcycle, 31-year-old Carlos Ivan Diaz-Franco of Silver Spring, was thrown from his 2020 BMW S 1000 RR motorcycle. Montgomery County Fire Rescue responded to the location and Diaz-Franco was pronounced dead on scene. The motorcycle came to rest in the eastbound lanes, causing the ICC to be shut down in both directions during the investigation.

One Person Dead After Collision Involving Motorcyclist and Police Vehicle on MD200(ICC)

By Patrick Herron

Published July 14, 2022 at 9:33PM | Updated July 14, 2022 at 10:02PM

The Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD-200 is closed in both directions between Exit 3/Shady Grove Road and Exit 8 MD-97/Georgia Avenue for a Police Investigation after a collision that occurred around 7:30pm on Thursday night.

The driver was ejected from his motorcycle and pronounced dead on scene. The Montgomery County Police Officer was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.