Northwood News ♦ February 2019

Alert:  Bus Rapid Transit Coming in 2020, Further Changes Studied

By Sharon Canavan

In late October, Maryland officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route that will run on U.S. Route 29/Colesville Road from Burtonsville to the Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring.  Re-branded as “FLASH,” this 14-mile BRT system is expected to be operating by 2020.

Transportation officials have predicted that FLASH will cut commute times in the heavily trafficked Route 29 corridor.  To achieve this, there will be fewer stops than Metrobus and RideOn, with only 11 FLASH stations, including stations in Burnt Mills and Four Corners.  Features such as off-board payment, all-door boarding for the multicar buses, and traffic signal priority to extend green lights for approaching buses are also designed improve commute time.  In this first phase, FLASH buses will drive on the shoulder in the northern section down to White Oak and in mixed-traffic for the remainder of the trip into Silver Spring.

Last spring, however, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering began work on a “U.S. 29 Mobility and Reliability Study” to review options for improving mobility, reliability, and safety for transit, carpools, bicyclists, and pedestrians along U.S. 29 between Tech Road and the Silver Spring Transit Center.  A number of concept proposals are being considered.  Various other transportation and planning agencies will also have input, although the Maryland Department of Transportation State Housing Administration has final review and approval of all elements, including design, operations, right-of-way, utility, and environmental impact.

Chief among the concepts being evaluated is a dedicated, reversible (with rush hour flow) lane in the median for the BRT from White Oak to Sligo Creek.  Although a median busway may attract more riders from the northern sector of this route by improving the run time for FLASH/BRT buses, drivability and neighborhood accessibility in Northwood Four Corners could be seriously impacted, depending on whether any of this concept proposal is ultimately adopted.  For example, among the concepts to make a median roadway workable that are under consideration are proposals to:  (1) restrict left turns from Route 29 into our community and nearby neighborhoods, and (2) install four additional traffic lights between Lockwood Drive and the Beltway.  The study will also evaluate potential traffic diversion routes and driver re-routing in response to restricted left turns.

After the study is complete, a “Draft Mobility Improvement Package” is expected later in Spring 2019.  Recommendations may include:  (1) development of a dedicated, reversible lane in the median for FLASH/BRT buses, (2) creation of a preferential/managed lane (carpool/BRT), (3) spot improvements, or (4) hybrid concepts.  Over the summer, conceptual design and cost analysis to implement the mobility improvement recommendations will be prepared.  The study will be completed by Fall 2019.  Currently, there is no funding for design or construction of any of the concepts that are being evaluated in the study for a potential second phase in the development of BRT on Route 29.

In February, NFCCA will have a speaker from MCDOT to discuss the concepts proposed in the U.S. 29 Mobility and Reliability Study.  This is an opportunity to see the proposed changes and provide your feedback to the local government staff who will evaluate the impact these proposals could have on traffic in and around our community.  This meeting will be on Wednesday, February 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the All-Purpose Room (cafeteria) at Forest Knolls Elementary School.

For more information about the U.S. 29 Mobility and Reliability Study go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/projects/US29Study/index.html.   ■