The "Flash" bus rapid transit system proposed in Montgomery County, Maryland took a crucial step forward at the end of July.
According to an article by Jane Lyons, "the Montgomery County Council advanced two long-awaited Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects on Route 355 and Veirs Mill Road to the next stage of engineering."
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will contract design and engineering work to a private sector firm, but the intent is to build dedicated media BRT lines—"considered the highest standard for this type of bus project," according to Lyons.
"Veirs Mill and Route 355 (part of which includes Rockville Pike) are two of three priority corridors for Montgomery County’s planned 82-mile BRT network, passed in 2013 with the support of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, Sierra Club, and other community members," adds Lyons. Construction on the first Flash BRT line, routed along U.S. 29, commenced in 2018.
The article includes more details about the proposed routes and the options still in place for the engineering and design of the new BRT lines on Veirs Mill and Route 355.
FULL STORY: MoCo advances two bus rapid transit projects on Route 355 and Veirs Mill Road
Bus Rapid Transit Line Breaks Ground in Maryland
Maryland's new FLASH bus rapid transit line will cost $31 million, with $10 million in funding from a U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER grant. It's also the first bus rapid transit line in the state.
New Bus Only Lane Overcomes Opposition in San Francisco
Local business owners and the local elected official opposed the Geary transit-only lane project, but compromise and wide public support got the project across the finish line.
Fairfax County Makes Space for Bus Rapid Transit
A recent decision by the Fairfax, Virginia County Board of Supervisors will ensure that any widening of Route 7 will be reserved for bus rapid transit (BRT).
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service