The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is advancing bicycle infrastructure projects across the County that will improve safety and provide critical connections to the region’s bikeway and transit networks.
Construction is underway on projects, including portions of the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, the Metropolitan Branch Trail in Silver Spring, as well as safety improvements along McComas Avenue in Wheaton where MCDOT is constructing a neighborhood greenway. Combined, the projects will add more than two miles of bike pathways to the County.
An additional 20 projects are in the planning phase. The projects will add nearly 18 miles of bike-friendly pathways across the County.
“We are redesigning our roadways to allow for more modes of transportation and better connections to our communities, schools, and job centers,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have built more than 17 miles of bike-friendly pathways since 2022, including new protected bikeways connecting the Purple Line project. These bicycle projects are part of our overall effort to build a safer, more accessible transportation network that reduces reliance on cars and encourages residents to incorporate biking, walking, and public transit into their everyday routines.”
The County currently has a total of 112 miles of bike lanes, bike-friendly road shoulders, and separated bike lanes, also known as cycle tracks.
MCDOT is also constructing a secure bike parking facility in the base of Garage 5, on the southeast corner of Dixon Avenue and Bonifant Street in Downtown Silver Spring. The bike parking facility is expected to open in the fall.
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“By investing in bicycle infrastructure, we are creating corridors that are safer, more vibrant, and better connected, making it easier for residents to safely travel while supporting surrounding neighborhoods and businesses,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “The Metropolitan Branch Trail shared use path will connect pedestrians and cyclists to the Silver Spring Transit Center, and all of our planned Flash Bus Rapid Transit routes will also include building safe pedestrian and cyclist access to Flash stations. Projects such as the McComas Avenue Neighborhood Greenway include traffic-calming measures that improve safety for everyone using the road. When we design our roadways to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, we create safer streets, reduce traffic congestion, and make transportation more accessible. They also add safe outdoor recreational options and encourage healthy lifestyles.”
Projects like the Metropolitan Branch Trail have wide-spanning connections, linking the Silver Spring Transit Center, Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, and Takoma Park. The trail will eventually connect to Union Station and the National Mall in the District, passing through many vibrant DC neighborhoods along the way. Because trails like these are extensive and span multiple jurisdictions, they are often constructed in phases. Each completed segment expands the network.
Flash is the County’s planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network that will offer frequent, fast, and reliable service along eight corridors across the County. Flash BRT construction includes safe pedestrian and cyclist pathways and crossings to Flash stations. Flash buses offer level boarding and bike racks on board. The service currently operates on US 29/Colesville Road. A second line, operating along Veirs Mill Road, is planned to open for service in late 2028.
Residents interested in learning more about MCDOT’s planned bicycle infrastructure projects are encouraged to join the Montgomery County Bicycle Action Group.
Bicycle projects currently under construction include:
Bethesda
- Capital Crescent Surface Trail (CCT) Phase 2
- Distance: 0.25 miles
- Estimated Completion Date: Summer 2026
- Grosvenor (East side of MD 355 south of Tuckerman Lane) Shared Use Path and Sidewalk
- Distance: 0.20 miles
- Estimated Completion Date: Late 2026
Silver Spring
- Metropolitan Branch Trail Phase 2A
- Distance: 0.60 miles
- Estimated Completion Date: Early 2027
Wheaton
- McComas Avenue Neighborhood Greenway
- Distance: 1.20 miles
- Estimated Completion Date: Late 2026
Bicycle projects that are nearing construction or are in the design phase include:
Bethesda
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- Bethesda Bikeway and Pedestrian Facilities: Montgomery Avenue Phase 2 (Right-of-way acquisition and permitting): 0.20 miles
- Bethesda Bikeway and Pedestrian Facilities: Woodmont Avenue Cycle Track Phase 2 (Starting construction fall 2026): 0.40 miles
- Cheltenham Drive Bikeway (Completing 95% design): 0.08 miles (1,200 ft)
- MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway Improvement Segment 3 (Starting construction): 2.30 miles (Bethesda/Cabin John corridor)
Clarksburg
- Clarksburg (MD 355) Shared Use Path (Starting construction): 0.47 miles (2,500 ft)
North Bethesda
- Shady Grove Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements (Completing facility design – 30%): 1.30 miles
Olney
- Bowie Mill Road Shared Use Path (Completing 95% design): 3.30 miles
Sandy Spring
- Heritage Triangle Trail Phase I (Dr. Bird/Norwood Road from MD 108 to Layhill Road) (Starting construction): 0.72 miles (3,800 ft total)
Silver Spring
- Martin Street Shared Use Path (Facility design – up to 30%): 0.22 miles (1,150 ft)
- Norwood Shared Use Path (New Hampshire Avenue to Blake High School) (Completing 90% design): 0.65 miles (Silver Spring/Colesville)
- Piney Branch Road Separated Bike Facilities (Completing 90% design): 1.10 miles (Silver Spring/Takoma Park)
- Burlington Avenue/13th Street Separated Bike Lanes (Completing 95% design): 0.40 miles
- Carroll Avenue Separated Bike Lanes (Completing 95% design): 0.80 miles (Silver Spring/Takoma Park)
- Cherry Hill Road Bikeway Project (Completing 95% design): 1.20 miles (East Silver Spring/White Oak)
- East Silver Spring (Grove Street) Greenway (Completing 95% design): 0.50 miles
- Flower Avenue Bikeway (Completing 95% design): 1.00 mile (Silver Spring/Takoma Park)
- Dale Drive Shared Use Path (Starting construction): 1.00 mile
- Fenton Street Cycle Track (Permitting): 0.75 miles (3,925 ft)
- Good Hope Road Shared Use Path Extension (Starting construction): 0.85 miles (4,500 ft) (Silver Spring/Cloverly)
Wheaton
- Amherst Avenue Bikeway (Starting construction): 0.70 miles
For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.
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Read the original article at mcgov