anchor Description
This program provides for the planning, design, and construction of bikeways, trails, neighborhood greenways and directional route signs throughout the County to develop the bikeway network specified by master plans and those requested by the community to provide access to commuter rail, mass transit, major employment centers, recreational and educational facilities, and other major attractions. The program will construct bicycle facilities that typically cost less than $1.0 million including shared use paths, on-road bicycle facilities, wayfinding, and signed shared routes.
anchorCost Change
Cost increase is due to minor annual funding adjustments and the addition of FY31 and FY32 to this level of effort project.
anchor Justification
There is a continuing and increasing need to develop a viable and effective bikeway and trail network throughout the County to increase bicyclist safety and mobility, provide an alternative to the use of automobiles, reduce traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, conserve energy, enhance quality of life, provide recreational opportunities, and encourage healthy lifestyles. This program implements the bikeways recommended in local area master plans, in the November 2018 Approved and Adopted Montgomery County Bicycle Master Plan, and those identified by individuals, communities, the Montgomery County Bicycle Action Group, and bikeway segments and connectors necessitated by the subdivision process. Projects identified by individuals and communities will be used as an ongoing project guide which will be implemented in accordance with the funds available in each fiscal year. This program also complements and augments the bikeways that are included in road projects and supports the County Executive's Vision Zero initiative which aims to reduce injuries and fatalities to zero on all roads by 2030.
anchorOther
Recently completed projects include Emory Lane shared-use path, Muncaster Mill Road shared-use path, and Marinelli Road separated bike lanes. Ongoing projects include Heritage Triangle Trail, Norwood Road shared use path, and Washington Grove - Brown Street connector path. Projects included within the 6-year CIP are Executive Blvd/Grand Park Ave separated bike lanes, Glen Echo-CCT connector trail, Layhill Road shared-use path, Good Hope Road shared-use path extension, Friendship Blvd bikeway, and Broadbirch Drive separated bike lanes.
anchorFiscal Note
$814,000 in developer contributions programmed in FY26 and FY27 to complete design and permitting from the Bullis School entrance to Democracy Boulevard as well as construct improvements along Falls Road. FY25 actuals funding switch between GO Bonds, Impact Taxes and Contributions.
anchorDisclosures
A pedestrian impact analysis has been completed for this project.
Expenditures will continue indefinitely.
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.
anchorCoordination
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Police, Citizen Advisory Boards, Montgomery County Bicycle Action Group, Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail, Montgomery Bicycle Advocates, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Department of Permitting Services, Bullis School, and Utility Companies.