up
Budget Year / Version:  
anchor
anchor
anchor

Description

This project will design and construct a new bus rapid transit (BRT) line on MD 355 between Rockville and Germantown. The project includes dedicated BRT lanes, new BRT stations with level boarding and off-board payment, Transit Signal Priority (TSP), purchase of new zero-emission BRT buses, and other associated pedestrian and bicycle improvements along the corridor. In addition, the project includes the planning and design of a new transit center near the Montgomery College Rockville Campus and a relocated and expanded Lakeforest Transit Center to support the project. Planning conducted by the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) resulted in several alternatives retained for detailed study in 2017 for BRT along MD 355 from Bethesda to Clarksburg. Final design and construction of the North and South segments will occur as a separate project.
anchor

Phase

Final Design Stage

Status

Active
anchor
Budget Snapshot
$429.58M Total
Expenditures/Funding
$413.31M 6 Year Total
Expenditures/Funding
anchor

Location

  • ADDRESS: The MD 355 BRT corridor spans Clarksburg to Bethesda. The Central phase of this project will include the master plan areas of Shady Grove and Germantown, as well as the cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg. A subsequent phase will provide service to the master plan areas of Bethesda, North Bethesda, Garrett Park, White Flint and Clarksburg.
  • PLANNING AREA: Countywide
  • REGIONAL SERVICE AREA: All
  • COUNCIL DISTRICTS: Countywide
anchor

Estimated Schedule

Project planning was completed in FY19. Preliminary engineering of the busway began in FY20 and will be completed in FY24. Environmental documentation for the purposes of submitting for federal funding is underway and should also be complete in FY24. Final design will be procured in FY25 and is estimated to last approximately two years. Construction activities, including right-of-way acquisition and utility relocations, may begin as early as FY25. Construction of the BRT is estimated to be completed in FY29.
anchor

Justification

MD 355 Flash will transform mobility options with the implementation of a 22-mile, premium, branded, limited-stop BRT service along MD 355 between Clarksburg and Bethesda. This new service will improve transit travel time and increase opportunity for a broad range of users along a highly congested corridor. MD 355 Flash will improve passenger transit mobility by connecting riders to high density housing and employment centers. MD 355 Flash is being phased to accelerate delivery. This phase will implement BRT between Rockville and Germantown. Extensions to Bethesda and Clarksburg will follow. A new transit center near the Montgomery College Rockville Campus will provide increased space to accommodate both the MD 355 BRT and Veirs Mill Road BRT operations as well as improve overall transit access and operations at this location. The Lakeforest Transit Center is currently undersized for existing operations. Relocation of the transit center closer to MD 355 will allow the critical connection between MD 355 BRT and the numerous local bus routes that stop there, while reducing the diversion for MD 355 BRT and saving passengers travel time. Redevelopment of the former Lakeforest Mall creates an opportunity for joint development considerations that should be explored in the near-term.
anchor

Fiscal Note

The County intends to secure federal funding for this project through the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Capital Investment Grant (CIG) New Starts program. Programming of funds through final design and construction improves the project's eligibility for earlier entry into New Starts. This project will utilize Op Lanes Maryland revenue proceeds, which have been pledged by the Maryland Department of Transportation to fund high priority public transit projects in Montgomery County. The amended FY21-26 CIP added $6 M in State grants. Additional State aid in FY23-25 includes State grants for capital projects in Montgomery County programmed and/or preauthorized during the 2022 and 2023 Maryland General Assembly sessions, including $150,000 in the 2023 session specifically identified to support planning and design of a new transit center near Montgomery College in Rockville. Op Lanes Maryland funding was deferred in FY23 to allow the new State administration time to move the project forward. FY24 funding switch from Recordation Tax Premium to Impact Tax to reflect prior year actuals and other adjustments.
anchor

Disclosures

A pedestrian impact analysis will be performed during design or is in progress. The County Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.
anchor

Coordination

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration & Maryland Transit Administration, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Permitting Services, Washington Gas, Pepco, Verizon, Comcast, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Federal Transit Administration, City of Gaithersburg, City of Rockville, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Commission on People with Disabilities, Transit Advisory Group, Neighborhood and Civic Associations, MD 355 BRT Corridor Advisory Committee.
Download & Explore
Budget Snapshot
$429.58M Total
Expenditures/Funding
$413.31M 6 Year Total
Expenditures/Funding
anchor
Project Details
Project NumberP502005
Date Last Modified04/12/24
Administering AgencyTransportation
CategoryTransportation
SubCategoryMass Transit (MCG)
Planning AreaCountywide
anchor
Total Expenditures by Cost Element (000s)
anchor
Total Funding by Source (000s)
EXPENDITURES (000s)
Cost ElementsTotalThru FY23Est FY24Total 6 YearsFY 25FY 26FY 27FY 28FY 29FY 30Beyond 6 Years
Planning, Design and Supervision633779223404950105120111382780898089808900
Land700030300067003445094572654819598695000
Site Improvements and Utilities508710050871462523123184984625000
Construction187435001874350074974749743748700
Other578940057894000289472894700
Total Expenditures4295809223704941330821086464071281091362338147300
FUNDING (000s)
Funding SourceTotalThru FY23Est FY24Total 6 YearsFY 25FY 26FY 27FY 28FY 29FY 30Beyond 6 Years
Current Revenue: Mass Transit25506368718000000180000
Federal Aid00000000000
FTA Capital Investment Grant204427002044270074492681176181800
Impact Tax437043412900000000
Op Lanes Maryland Transit Funding1676790016767902809153617681161785500
Recordation Tax Premium (MCG)28801186169400000000
State Aid476743633463939402210861831600000
Total Funding Sources4295809223704941330821086464071281091362338147300
OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT ($000s)
Impact TypeTotal 6 YearsFY 25FY 26FY 27FY 28FY 29FY 30
Program-Staff80200----3950040700
NET IMPACT80200----3950040700
APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE DATA ($000s)
Appropriation FY 25 Request0
Year First AppropriationFY20
Appropriation FY 26 Request0
Last FY's Cost Estimate429580
Cumulative Appropriation55674
Expenditure / Encumbrances14509
Unencumbered Balance41165