MOCO Meetings On I-270, American Legion Bridge Set

BETHESDA, MD — Open house meetings will be held Nov. 13-16 in Montgomery County to gather public feedback on the American Legion Bridge and I-270 corridor program, the Maryland Department of Transportation said.

The meetings will allow corridor travelers, project neighbors and other stakeholders to talk with the program team on potential multimodal transportation solutions for the corridor.

The open houses follow Gov. Wes Moore’s Aug. 21 announcement of the path forward for the future of the I-495 and I-270 corridors. The goal is a program to improve access, opportunity, and quality of life in the Washington region through multimodal enhancements along the two corridors, including replacement of the aging American Legion Bridge.

The open houses will take place at three venues along the program corridor:

• Monday, Nov. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, 4301 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Transit Accessible: WMATA Red Line, Bethesda Station; Metrobus J2; Ride On routes 29, 32, 34, 47, 70.
• Wednesday, Nov. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m., DoubleTree Hotel, 620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg. Transit Accessible: Ride On routes 54, 55, 56, 59, 61.
• Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Frederick High School, 650 Carroll Parkway, Frederick. Transit Accessible: Connector routes 40, 50, 51.

The same information will be available at each meeting at stations staffed by program team members. There will not be a formal presentation.

Meeting materials are available at www.americanlegionbridge270.com.

As part of the American Legion Bridge and 270 Corridor Program, the Maryland Department of Transportation is advancing these transportation solutions alongside stakeholder engagement:

• Transit and Ridesharing. Maryland will advance transit options and transportation demand management enhancements along the American Legion Bridge, I-495 and I-270 corridors. The program will implement strategies such as express bus options in Maryland and connections to Virginia, ridesharing incentives and parallel transportation improvements including MARC Brunswick Line enhancements and Bus Rapid Transit.
• Transit-Oriented Development. The Maryland Department of Transportation will advance Transit-Oriented Development opportunities throughout the corridors. Maryland has previously supported TOD planning and implementation efforts throughout the WMATA Metrorail system. As part of this program, Maryland will look to accelerate investment in key corridor TOD projects to unlock new developments that create sustainable and inclusive communities.
• Phased Approach to Managed Lanes. Implementation of managed lanes will be phased, with the American Legion Bridge, I-495 to the I-270 West Spur, and the I-270 West Spur being the focus for initial implementation. The section from the I-270 West Spur to I-370, including through the City of Rockville, will be addressed in a later phase. This phasing will allow for a rational and fiscally prudent phased development.
• A Comprehensive Planning Strategy for I-270. Maryland will launch a formal environmental study to identify the transportation needs of I-270 North of the Intercounty Connector/MD 200, consider a range of concepts including transit and transportation demand management, and evaluate multimodal approaches for near-term implementation and construction.
• Engagement on Delivery Method. Maryland will engage the public on the potential implementation of the managed lanes as a publicly funded and delivered project.

Those requiring assistance to participate in the open houses, such as a need for an interpreter for hearing/speech difficulties or assistance with the English language, should send an email in advance to SHATitleVI@MDOTmaryland.gov. Please indicate the desired language in the subject line. The Maryland Relay Service can assist teletype users at 7-1-1.

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