This project will design and construct a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line on MD 355 between Rockville and Germantown from Montgomery College - Rockville to Montgomery College - 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. 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. In 2019, MCDOT completed the planning phase. MCDOT has been working on preliminary engineering and project phasing since 2020. Preliminary engineering of the full corridor from Bethesda to Clarksburg is being completed and then final design and construction for the Central segment will occur. Final design and construction of the North and South segments will occur as a separate project.

Project planning was completed in FY19. Preliminary engineering began in FY20 and will be completed in FY23. Final design will immediately follow and will be completed in FY25. Construction activities, including right of way acquisition, will begin in FY25. Construction will be completed in FY28.

Increased funding to complete final design of the Central phase from Rockville to Germantown, acquire right of way, relocate utilities, complete construction, and purchase buses.

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.

Programming of funds through final design and construction improves the project's eligibility for earlier entry into the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant program. 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.

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.