The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is conducting this feasibility study to document existing conditions and explore network and facility type alternatives to expanding the Bethesda Trolley Trail in North Bethesda. Although, the Bethesda Trolley Trail is currently signed along Rockville Pike (MD 355) between Nicholson Lane and Bou Avenue, it mostly consists of narrow sidewalks without any landscape buffers. With new and planned mixed use development as well as planned BRT projects in the area, there is an opportunity to explore other potential alternatives to Rockville Pike (MD 355) alignment to expand the Bethesda Trolley Trail in North Bethesda and create a wayfinding plan to connect various destinations, neighborhoods, and nearby trails.
Project Background
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has been planning and implementing bicycle facility projects across the county over the last several years. MCDOT is advancing projects to implement the bicycle and pedestrian network recommended in the 2010 White Flint Sector Plan, 2018 White Flint 2 Sector Plan, and the 2018 county-wide Bicycle Master Plan.
MCDOT is conducting this feasibility study, with grant funding from MDOT-SHA's Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program, to explore alignment alternatives to expand the Bethesda Trolley Trail and develop a wayfinding plan to connect to regional trails and surrounding neighborhoods in North Bethesda. This project will evaluate existing and proposed off-road and on-road bicycle facilities between Woodglen Drive & Nicholson Lane to Twinbrook Metro Station. The study will also identify gaps in the overall bicycle and pedestrian network in North Bethesda.
On October 6, 2022, MCDOT had a public meeting to share the project background, existing conditions analysis, present design alternatives, and gather feedback from stakeholders and community members. Please click on 'Project Documents' tab to access the meeting presentation.
To learn more about the Bethesda Trolley Trail, please visit: https://youtu.be/DO7BEBLESu4 and https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/Resources/Files/BTT_brochure_Map.pdf
You can learn more about the 2018 County-wide Bicycle Master Plan here: https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/transportation/bicycle-planning/bicycle-master-plan/
You can learn more about the 2010 White Flint Sector Plan here: https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/white-flint/2006-white-flint-sector-plan/ and and about the 2018 White Flint 2 Sector Plan here: https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/white-flint/white-flint-2-sector-plan/
We will add additional information here as we make progress on this project. Please check back or subscribe for email updates.
Project Manager: Matt Johnson
Division of Transportation Engineering 100 Edison Park Drive, 4th Floor Gaithersburg, MD 20878 E-mail: Matt.Johnson@montgomerycountymd.gov Phone: 240-777-7231