Open House on Wednesday, July 31, Will Focus on Planned Improvements to Georgia Avenue in Montgomery Hills and Building Bike Lanes on 16th Street

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will host an open house from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, in Silver Spring to present the latest design improvements for two projects in Montgomery County. One is a safety and accessibility project in the Montgomery Hills area along Georgia Avenue (MD 97) and the other is for a protected bicycle lane on 16th Street (MD 390).

The open house will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, which is located at 1607 Grace Church Road in Silver Spring.

The MD 97 Montgomery Hills Safety and Accessibility Project will extend along Georgia Avenue from south of MD 390 (16th Street) to MD 192 (Forest Glen Road). It will include the interchange with the Capital Beltway (I-495) near the Forest Glen Metro Station.

The plan includes the replacement of a reversible lane with a landscaped median, dedicated turn lanes, interchange modifications, a new signal at Flora Lane and sidewalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. More details are available on the Project Portal page.

The area for the16th Street Woodside Protected Bicycle Lane Project will extend from Spring Street to 2nd Avenue. The plans seek to improve bicycle and pedestrian accessibility and safety along 16th Street and provide connections to other bicycle facilities, the Forest Glen Metro Station and future Woodside Purple Line station. The project will include an eight-foot-wide, two-way protected bicycle lane, a concrete/grass median separating vehicle traffic from the bicycle lane, a six-foot-wide ADA-compliant sidewalk and other features. Details are available on the Project Portal page.

During the July 31 open house, attendees can view design details for both projects, with maps and displays showcasing the proposed improvements. State Highway Administration representatives will be available to listen to feedback and answer project-related questions. There will be no formal presentation, and members of the public may attend any time between 6-8 p.m.

Those requiring assistance to participate in the public open house, such as those seeking an interpreter for hearing/speech concerns or help with the English language, may send an email to shatitleVI@mdot.maryland.gov in advance of the meeting. Indicate the desired language in the subject line. Maryland Relay Service can assist teletype users at 7-1-1. Any questions about the meeting or general inquiries can be sent to the email above.