SILVER SPRING – Would you like a better alternative to traffic congestion in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County planners are hosting a community meeting on Monday, October 24 to discuss a promising solution — bus rapid transit (BRT). Rapid transit, similar to light rail, offers bus priority on dedicated lanes, fast passenger boarding, and speedy fare collection.
Planners are kicking off a plan for a BRT system that will examine 16 corridors covering 150 miles. Corridors include MD 355/Rockville Pike, US 29/Columbia Pike and MD 97/Georgia Avenue, among others. As part of the plan, staff will analyze ridership potential and identify where dedicated lanes may be needed through acquiring right-of-way or converting traffic lanes to bus lanes to help move people faster.
At Monday’s open house, planners will provide background on the project and show where the service is proposed. Visitors to the open house can browse through informational stations and let planners know how they think BRT service could fit into their communities.
The bus rapid transit study will advance the recommendations of a county rapid transit task force that in August identified 16 corridors covering 150 miles on which the transit system could run.
The bus rapid transit network will become part of the county Master Plan of Highways and Transitways, a planning document that guides major transportation projects and any right-of-way requirements.
WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Department
WHAT:
Bus Rapid Transit Open House
WHEN:
Monday, October 24, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (drop in anytime)
WHERE:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD
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