North Four Corners News ♦ April 2026

Hearing on Funding FLASH BRT Phase 2

By Sharon Canavan

On 2 March 2026, the Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee of the Montgomery County Council met to discuss 2027–2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) funding, including $115 million for further design and construction of a Dedicated Median Lane for Phase 2 of the Flash Bus Rapid Transit route (BRT Phase 2) on U.S. 29/Colesville Road. (See article describing how this project potentially impacts Four Corners in the February 2026 issue at the link below.

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On 23 February 2026, District 5 Councilmember Kristin Mink sent a letter to the T&E Committee raising concerns about funding a two-lane wide, barrier-separated, Flash-only Dedicated Median Lane through Four Corners and asked for consideration of three alternatives:

Run BRT Phase 2 buses in mixed traffic through Four Corners;
Reconsider the Managed Lane option for a curb-running bus lane for Flash and other buses; or
Construct a one-lane-wide BRT lane through Four Corners that reverses during peak rush hours.

Although not a T&E Committee member, Councilmember Mink attended the hearing to provide more detail regarding her concerns, including the potential for extreme gridlock posed by removing two traffic lanes near the Four Corners intersection.

Transportation officials, including Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin, lined up against the Managed Lane option, arguing that the Dedicated Median Lane option will better serve public transportation riders and would not present the enforcement challenges that a Managed Lane might if scofflaws drive in the bus lane. Conklin also believes that potential federal funding could be lost if the Managed Lane alternative is pursued.

Councilmember Mink noted that dedicated median bus lanes are not a feature proposed for the county’s other BRT routes. Director Conklin responded that congestion is worst on U.S. 29 right before the U.S. 495 exit ramp, so a two-lane BRT busway would be the most effective at this point, and he added that other BRT route corridors are less congested with fewer chokepoints.

Conklin noted that adjustments to the proposed design, such as reducing lane width to 11 feet, can still be made to avoid reducing sidewalk width near the Woodmoor Shopping Center and to avoid having to take property at the Burnt Mills Auto shop and elsewhere. However, he did not recommend altering the median bus lane design to address our communities’ concerns about access turns at Lorain Avenue.

T&E Committee Chairman Evan Glass indicated he has heard numerous concerns about the BRT 2.0 proposal voiced by Four Corners residents and small businesses. He also acknowledged that the county is facing budgetary challenges so the Council must make tough choices between projects they want and projects they need. Glass noted building an effective public transportation system is necessary, but the goal is to assure a proper balance between other county needs, cost containment, and effectiveness. Finally, he stated that BRT Phase 2 improvements are critical to serve the significant low- and moderate-income ridership in East County, Howard County commuters, and future public transportation demand after Viva White Oak is developed. But it is important to note that Dedicated Median Lanes are for BRT Flash buses only, and by increasing traffic backup would disadvantage all non-BRT forms of public transit, such as Metrobus and RideOn.

Councilmember Kate Stewart stressed that public transportation improvements are a key element of the county’s master plan and expressed strong concern about enforcement if the Managed Lane approach is adopted. Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe underscored the necessity to gather more data on potential alternatives to analyze before making a funding decision.

After discussion, Committee members settled on an approach that will allow the Transportation Department to continue with design of the Dedicated Median Lane BRT but gave direction to develop additional data and analyze two BRT options at Four Corners: (1) a single, reversible dedicated median lane, and (2) the BRT bus traveling in mixed traffic. This analysis would include detailed cost estimates, including cost per rider estimates. After receiving this information, the Committee will make a final decision on funding. ■