 MCDOT Reminds Residents to Wear A Face Covering When Taking Public Transportation Through Jan. 18 MCDOT reminds residents that Federal guidelines continue to require riders to wear face coverings for the duration of their trips when traveling by public transportation. The regulation covers MCDOT's Ride On buses, Ride On extRa, Flex, Flash, Metrobus, Metrorail, taxis and on-demand car services. MCDOT buses have a supply of face coverings for riders who cannot provide their own. Learn more here. *Fares remain free through September.  MCDOT's Shared Streets Program Extends Until at Least Nov. 28 The Shared Streets program, first created in response to the pandemic, will be extended until at least Nov. 28. MCDOT has managed the Shared Streets program, which allows residents and businesses to use public spaces for in-street activities such as biking, walking, outdoor dining, and retail activity. The concept aims to bring residents together in a safe outdoor environment while supporting County businesses that have struggled from the economic impacts of COVID-19. Learn more here.  MCDOT's Commuter Services Sponsors Popular "Learn to Ride" Adult Bike Classes Classes are led by certified WABA instructors and designed for adults aged 18 or older who have never ridden a bike before, have tried to learn but have been unsuccessful or who have not ridden for some time. Students will learn the basics of balancing, gliding, pedaling, and stopping using techniques to ride comfortably and confidently. The cost is $10 for Montgomery County residents, and there is no fee for WABA and Capital Bikeshare for All members. Learn more here. |  MCDOT's Wheaton Revitalization Project Wins Award Wheaton Revitalization Project has been recognized with a Merit Award for Government Public Buildings by the Engineering News-Record (ENR) MidAtlantic. The ENR "Regional Best Projects Awards" program honored outstanding construction projects and the companies that designed and built them. MCDOT led the development and construction of the Wheaton Revitalization Project—one of the largest projects ever built by Montgomery County. Construction took 39 months and cost about $179 million. It was completed on time and within budget. Learn more here. |  MCDOT Encourages Residents to Participate in Bicycle Swag Bag Contest To build attention to the annual international "Car Free Day" that will be held on Sept. 22 and to encourage the use of alternate modes of transportation, MCDOT is hosting a "Bicycle Swag Bag Contest" that is open until Sept. 26. During the event, bike riders can submit a picture of themselves riding along a bike path or trail in Montgomery County to be entered into a weekly drawing. Learn more here. | ROAD PROJECTS AND CLOSURES MCDOT Bridge Replacement Project Impacts Beach Drive Beach Drive in Kensington, between Kensington Parkway and Old Spring Road, will be closed from Aug. 30 through early June 2022 as the two-lane bridge carrying Beach Drive over Silver Creek will be replaced. Traffic will be detoured through MD 185 to MD 192 to Stoneybrook Drive and Beach Drive. Learn more here. MCDOT White Flint Project Reopens Intersection of Executive Boulevard in Rockville The intersection of Executive Boulevard at Old Georgetown Road has reopened with a new traffic pattern. The intersection closed this past March for construction. For more information visit the project website at whiteflintproject.com. Ride On routes 5, 26, and 81 have resumed their normal "Executive Connector" routing patterns. Ramp Metering on I-270 Expected to Start Sept. 15
When ramp metering is in operation: - Motorists will see a warning sign with flashing beacons.
- When the beacons are activated, motorists should be prepared to stop at the stop line.
- Once the signal turns green, drivers may proceed on the ramp and merge onto the highway.
- The signal will allow one car at a time to go from each lane, optimizing traffic flow onto I-270.
The ramp metering signals will have the capability to operate between 4 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily and are anticipated to be active during peak traffic hours and when congestion is present on I-270. For more information and to view a map and ramp metering visualization video, click here. For a list of additional MDOT SHA projects, visit the Project Portal. WSSC Project Closes Brookeville Road Until Sept. 6 The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) has begun a sewer relocation project on Brookeville Road. Lane Closure on Georgia Avenue Through the End of September The right-hand lane of southbound Georgia Avenue (US 29) from Wayne Avenue to Bonifant Street is closed for repairs through the end of September for construction along the Purple Line alignment. View this and other related Purple Line closures here. Pepco Substation Construction Causes Closures and Detours on Randolph Road For 6 Months Pepco has announced that their contractor, CW & Sons, began a six-month construction effort on the westbound lanes of Randolph Road, between Nebel Street and Parklawn Drive. The westbound lanes of Randolph Road between Nebel Street and Parklawn Drive is closed, and westbound traffic is detoured to Parklawn Drive. Eastbound lanes on Randolph Road remain open to traffic. Learn more here. METRO NEWS  Reminder: Metro Red Line - Shady Grove and Rockville Stations to Close for Three Months The Rockville and Shady Grove Metro stations will close for three months from September 11 through December 4, 2021 to allow work crews to demolish and replace the concrete canopy at the Rockville Metro station. To bypass the station closures, consider using the Twinbrook, White Flint, or Grosvenor-Strathmore Stations instead. Free shuttle bus service will be available to connect the closed stations and Twinbrook Station. Buses on the west side of the Rockville Station have relocated to temporary stops and MCDOT's Ride On Flex is picking up and dropping off at the T2 stop. Directional signs are posted outside the stations. Sign up for email updates on travel impacts here. View travel alternatives here. | Metro Changes Coming Sept. 5 For an update on discounts and changes to Metrobus and Metrorail click here. Metro Faregate Replacement Project Underway With New and Improved Faregates Fully Installed in Two Stations Learn more here.  For department updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot or sign up to receive the latest MCDOT news releases. | 
