On The Council Agenda: Rapid Transit System Public Hearing and More

The Montgomery County Council will hold a public hearing regarding an amendment to FY 13-18 Capital Improvements Program and supplemental appropriation to the FY13 Capital Budget that will provide an additional $1 million to development of the Rapid Transit System.

"The funds would provide for additional studies as precursors to full-fledged project planning studies for certain bus rapid transit (BRT) lines identified by the County Executive's Transit Task Force to be built in a first phase," according to County documents.

The studies, according to the County, will include:

• Service Planning and Integration for Ride On, Metrobus and the new RTS routes. 
• Pedestrian and bicycle access to stations. 
• Transit Signal Priority. 
• Park and Ride studies to serve corridors and terminal stations. 
• Organizational Study - to look at organizational structures to efficiently and effectively design, build, operate, and maintain the RTS and to ensure sustainability and integration of the system with Ride On and Metrobus services. 
• Development of the framework and policies associated with future right of way and operational agreements with the State.

The full information packet for the public hearing is available online and the hearing is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.

Other agenda items of note include:

• Introduction of Bill 2-13, Streets and Roads - Reconstruction - Coordination, sponsored by Councilmember Leventhal (9:50 a.m.)
  • According to county documents, Bill 2-13 would:
    • Require the Director of Transportation to adopt a 5-year schedule of reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resurfacing to County sidewalks, streets, and roads, and to publicize that schedule
    • Direct the Department to take all feasible steps to coordinate the County's reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resurfacing activities with those of other government agencies, public utilities, and other entities, and in so doing to locate utility transmission facilities underground when feasible
• Introduction - Spending Affordability Guidelines for FY14 Operating Budget
  • The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce the Council's spending affordability guidelines for the FY14 operating budget

The Montgomery County Council meets Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Hearing Room, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD. The full Montgomery County Council meeting agenda can be viewed here.