MCDOT Extends Service Hours on the Great Seneca Ride On extRa Lime Route Beginning Sunday, Nov. 17

MCDOT is excited to announce that the Great Seneca Ride On extRa Lime route , which runs between Shady Grove Metro and the Traville Gateway Drive via Brochart Road and Medical Center Way, will now offer extended service hours until 10:10 p.m. starting Sunday, Nov. 17. This change will make it easier for riders to enjoy later trips to and from Downtown Crown, Rio and the Life Science Center.

During weekday peak rush hour periods, this route has service every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends.

MCDOT Begins Leaf Vacuum Collection in Specific Areas

MCDOT began its annual leaf vacuuming program on Monday, Nov. 11, and will continue collections through December in specified areas. There will be two collections on each collection district street.

To access the collection schedule, residents may use the County’s new MC311 online chatbot, Monty 2.0 with GIS features or by entering their street address on the MCDOT leafing page. The map and collection information can also be found online on the MCDOT Leaf Collection webpage .

The leaf vacuum collection district is bounded by I-495; I-270; the Rockville City limits; Norbeck, Bel Pre and Bonifant roads; Northwest Branch Park; and the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County lines.

Before collection begins in a neighborhood, MCDOT will post signs along streets directing residents to the online leaf collection map for collection information. Residents are asked to pile leaves near the street but off of roads, sidewalks or bike lanes. Leaves in these areas can disrupt traffic, pose a safety hazard for cyclists and pedestrians, negatively impact stormwater drainage, and become a fire hazard for automobiles parked over them.

Vision Zero Youth Ambassador Program Seeking Montgomery County High School Students for Program to Improve Traffic Safety

MCDOT is seeking up to 35 County high school students to serve as “ Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors .” The project-based learning program teaches teens leadership skills, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. Applications are being accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.

Interested public, private and home-schooled high school students can learn about the program and apply online .

The County’s Vision Zero Initiative aims to eliminate traffic-related severe injuries and deaths. Youth Ambassadors have an opportunity to help the County achieve this goal by becoming road safety leaders in their communities.

Youth Ambassadors are tasked with completing a safety-related group project that will ultimately culminate in a Safety Day event to educate Montgomery County residents about staying safe while walking, biking and driving. Resources and project guidance are provided by the County.

There is no cost to participate, and students can earn up to 35 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.

MCDOT Wins Regional ‘Commuter Connections’ Award

MCDOT’s Commuter Services office was recognized for a second year in a row by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Commuter Connections program with the Employer Services Outreach Team Achievement Award for its outstanding work in creating and promoting commute alternative programs with employers. The award was part of Commuter Connections’ 50th anniversary celebration at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 2.

Montgomery County businesses interested in expanding commuter options and benefits are urged to reach out to MCDOT’s Commuter Services Section for more information, or to enroll in the FareShare program, by calling 240-777-8382 or emailing [email protected] .

Ride On Shuttles Will Serve Second Avenue Due to Detours Caused by Spring Street Bridge Rebuilding

Due to the closure and rebuilding of the Spring Street bridge in Silver Spring, MCDOT Ride On bus routes 1 , 5 , 11 , 18 and 28 have experienced detours since Friday, June 7 and will last until spring 2025. To assist those impacted by the bridge closure, a shuttle is serving Second Avenue, operating every 30 minutes in 2 shifts: midday from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and evening from 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

View the detour maps online here .

Cut Invasive Vines to Save Trees

Montgomery County has long had a problem with invasive vines killing trees. Invasive vines crawl up a tree, taking over the tree’s resources and eventually strangling branches until the tree is dead.

As a property owner, or renter with permission from your landlord, you can fairly easily cut vines on trees on your private property. The vine should be cut at the base of the tree and then again at shoulder height, to prevent it from regenerating. Be careful not to cut the tree or its bark. There is no need to pull the vine down. Once the vine is cut, it will dry up and eventually fall off the tree. Pulling a vine is a safety hazard and can bring down tree branches. It is important that residents use gloves, as some vines like poison ivy, can cause rashes if touched. Additionally, properly dispose of the cut portion of the vine in the trash as it may regenerate if left on the ground.

Learn more and watch a video on how to cut vines on MCDOT’s webpage .

If you see vines on trees within the County’s right-of-way, please call MC311 by dialing 311 (or 240-777-0311) and MCDOT will send an arborist to cut them.

New Public Art Project Unveiled in Bethesda!

The downtown Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District announced its latest public art initiative: The Signal Box Public Art Project . Artists from DC, MD, and VA submitted their designs for consideration, and a selection committee chose 15 incredible artists from the very talented pool of applicants. Their designs were then printed on vinyl and “wrapped” around the traffic signal boxes at 15 intersections throughout Downtown Bethesda. View photos of the art online here .

MCDOT manages these signal boxes to ensure traffic flows seamlessly and decreases traffic congestions and rear end collisions and increases rush hour travel speeds by 14-20%.

In-Person Public Meeting on the 13th Street / Burlington Avenue Separated Bike Lanes Project in Silver Spring to be Held on Thursday, Nov. 14

On Thursday, Nov. 14, starting at 7 p.m., the MCDOT will hold an in-person public meeting at the Montgomery College Health Sciences Building, 7977 Georgia Ave., to review plans on the 13th Street/Burlington Avenue Separated Bike Lanes in Silver Spring. MCDOT will present the plan and design and its potential impacts to the community.

The proposed bike lanes will connect the South Silver Spring neighborhood to Fenton Village and the Metropolitan Branch Trail. The project will add separated bike lanes to 13th Street and Burlington Avenue in Silver Spring, between Eastern Avenue and Fenton Street. The bike lanes will be one-way on either side of the street and will be separated from traffic by a raised median. A construction timeframe has not yet been set.

Feedback and questions may be submitted by Friday, Nov. 29 to the Project Manager, Matt Johnson by email at [email protected] .

All information provided including questions and public feedback will become a matter of public record. Materials will be posted to the project webpage no later than 5 p.m. the day of the meeting.

In-Person Community Meeting on Two School Walkability Studies on Thursday, Dec. 5

On Thursday, Dec. 5 starting at 6:30 p.m., MCDOT will present the findings of school walkability studies for Rosemary Hills and Rock Creek Forest elementary schools in Silver Spring. The meeting will be held at the Rosemary Hills Elementary School, All Purpose Room located at 2111 Porter R oad in Silver Spring.

At the community meeting, MCDOT will show the study findings and discuss the sidewalk and safety needs of students walking and biking to the studied schools. Each of the walkability studies reviewed the condition of existing infrastructure and recommended improvements that may be implemented within the school walkshed to provide safe and accessible routes for students walking and biking to school. This community meeting will help County staff better understand safety needs and plan future sidewalk and safety improvement projects within the school walkshed.

Registration is not required. Public feedback and information provided will become a matter of public record. The public can view all walkability studies online here .

Comments and questions may be submitted by email to [email protected]  or by phone 240-777-2192 by Saturday, Dec. 30.

Virtual Public Meeting on the Greentree Road Bridge Replacement Project in Bethesda to be Held on Tuesday, Dec. 10

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, starting at 7 p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual (online) public information meeting to discuss the proposed Greentree Road Bridge replacement project (Bridge No. M-0180) over Bulls Run in Bethesda. The public will have an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions.

Online registration is required to attend. The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online comment form or via email to the Project Manager, Rashid Abramov at [email protected] . All information provided will become a matter of public record.