A report from Montgomery County planners prioritizes the need for a robust network of bus lanes and the extension of the Red Line to accommodate the region's growing population and reduce car trips and congestion.

According to an analysis by Montgomery County planners, "[h]elping more people to avoid driving in Maryland’s heavily congested Interstate 270 corridor would require building a network of dedicated bus lanes and eventually extending Metro’s Red Line to Germantown," reports Katherine Shaver.
In the first mass transit study for the corridor, planners assessed potential transit improvements in an effort to "help Montgomery leaders prioritize transit projects as funding becomes available" and "serve areas of the county that don’t have high-quality transit today." The report recommends prioritizing "a network of dedicated bus lanes to feed into Bus Rapid Transit lines being designed for Rockville Pike (Route 355) and Veirs Mill Road" over the next two decades, as well as extending the Red Line. "The bus lanes would serve 'equity focus areas' of lower-income residents, major job centers and some Metro Red Line stations."
The I-270, "one of the most congested in the Washington region, carries commuters from job centers in Montgomery, the District and Northern Virginia to homes in Montgomery, Frederick County, western Maryland and Pennsylvania" and is the home of major employers including biotech companies and universities.
While any implementation remains years away, the recommendations open a discussion about the future of public transit in the growing region.
FULL STORY: I-270 corridor needs bus lanes, Metro extension to improve transit, Montgomery planners say

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.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network
The state is directing funding to close gaps in its existing bike network and make long-distance trips more accessible.

Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits
The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.

Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods
Post-fire analysis of the Eaton Fire reveals that a landscape approach — including fire-resistant vegetation, home hardening, and strategic planning — can help reduce wildfire risk, challenging assumptions that trees and plants are primary fire hazards.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland