Montgomery County plans to add more bike lanes to roads throughout the county in an effort to advance cycling infrastructure across the county and improve safety, according to the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.
Construction
Current construction projects in the works include 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. The projects will add more than two miles of bike pathways to the county.
There are an additional 20 projects in the planning phase. Those projects will add nearly 18 miles of bike-friendly pathways across the county.
What Marc Elrich says
“We are redesigning our roadways to allow for more modes of transportation and better connections to our communities, schools, and job centers,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “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.”
There are a total of 112 miles of bike lanes, bike-friendly road shoulders and separated bike lanes in the county.
Bike parking facility
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.
“When we design our roadways to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, we create safer streets, reduce traffic congestion, and make transportation more accessible,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “They also add safe outdoor recreational options and encourage healthy lifestyles.”
The bike parking facility is expected to open in the fall.
The county has a planned Bus Rapid Transit network called Flash. Flash will offer frequent, fast, and reliable service along eight corridors throughout the county. For more information, check out the MCDOT webpage.
