SILVER SPRING – On Thursday, September 22 the Montgomery County Planning Board will review a scope of work for a transportation study that will evaluate corridors, signalization and right-of-way options for a new bus rapid transit network for Montgomery County.
Bus rapid transit (BRT) is intended to provide many of the benefits of light rail, such as greater speeds and passenger comfort, at a much lower cost. BRT offers bus priority on dedicated lanes and/or at intersections equipped with priority traffic signals, faster passenger boarding, and speedy fare collection. Successful BRT systems have been built in California, Oregon and other places around the world.
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. Some of those include MD 355/Rockville Pike, US 29/Columbia Pike and MD 97/Georgia Avenue.
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.
In the scope of work, planners describe each phase of the project, starting with reviewing the corridors already recommended and assessing the network for ridership potential to determine the level of investment each corridor merits. From there, planners propose to develop illustrations depicting how the proposed transitways and stations are accommodated within the corridors. Another significant task will be to identify where travel lanes might be repurposed or additional right-of-way acquired along corridors to accommodate BRT.
Planners will work with a consultant who will provide technical analysis.
To involve the community throughout the year-long project effort, planners propose to form a technical working group of state and county agency representatives and to hold public meetings to present draft recommendations and collect feedback. Comments also will be accepted at the BRT study webpage.
The Planning Board, which will consider the draft from transportation planners next summer, is scheduled to send its version of the plan to the County Council next September.
WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Board
WHAT:
Proposed BRT study scope of work
WHEN:
Thursday, September 22, approximately 3 p.m.
WHERE:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD
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