anchor Description
This project provides for the County's participation for the funding of State and WMATA transportation projects that will add transportation capacity to the County's network, reduce traffic congestion in different areas of the County, and provide overall benefits to the public at large. Major projects to be funded will be selected from the most recent Joint Priorities letter signed by the County Executive and the President of the County Council and submitted to the Maryland Department of Transportation.
anchorCost Change
Cost decrease reflects estimated savings from the MD and West Old Baltimore Road subproject.
anchor Justification
Montgomery County, as part of the Washington Region, has the highest level of traffic congestion in the nation. In order to directly address the congestion problems in Montgomery County, the County will participate in the construction of State projects to improve the quality of life for our residents, eliminate or reduce delays at major bottlenecks in our transportation system, improve safety, and improve air quality in the immediate vicinity of the projects.
anchorOther
Through the County entered into various Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the State for the following projects: • MD Parkway interchange (Phase I and II) • Mill Road interchange • MD at Randolph Road interchange • Bus Rapid Transit on Viers Mill Road between Wheaton and Rockville • MD from Forest Glen through Montgomery Hills • MD Bypass • MD between Mid-County Highway and Airpark Road • Intersection Improvements of State-County roads cost share) Also included: Funding for the design and environmental analysis of the MD Crossing (CIP and engineering design of a pedestrian tunnel beneath Georgia Avenue to access the Forest Glen Metro Rail Station. The State Highway Administration has agreed to perform the additional work for the Tapestry subdivision on West Old Baltimore Road as part of its improvements at the intersection of MD and West Old Baltimore Road.
anchorFiscal Note
The funding schedule aligns with current MOU agreements with the State. million was originally advanced by the County to the State for the MD Parkway interchange. The County received reimbursement from the State in million of State Aid programmed in has been moved to the Traffic System Signal Modernization project (CIP with repayment to this project in million in available liquor bond appropriation is reallocated to the Rapid Transit System CIP. In a funding switch was made to reduce Revenue Bonds: Liquor Fund appropriation and increase GO Bonds by $ million. Remaining funding in the program is anticipated for use as part of the MD and West Old Baltimore Road intersection and sidewalk/sidepath gaps in its immediate vicinity. funding switch of between GO Bonds and Impact Tax. funding switch of between GO Bonds and Impact Tax.
anchorDisclosures
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 State Highway Administration, Developers, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority