Of three final alternatives under consideration by the state for a high-capacity, express bus service along Veirs Mill Road (MD 586), Rockville’s Mayor and Council supported one that would create dedicated lanes along the roadway, where possible.
The Maryland Department of Transportation and State Highway Administration have been studying three options for bus rapid transit (BRT) alternatives in recent months, and requested input from the Mayor and Council on which alternative they preferred.
BRT is a transportation alternative with similarities to light rail. Buses make fewer stops along a designated lane and have priority at intersections with signals. The area the study covers is from the Rockville Metro station to the Wheaton Metro station, and has 12 stops, including service to the Rockville campus of Montgomery College.
Alternative 3, the one selected by the Mayor and Council, would create dedicated lanes for BRT buses on the outer-curb lanes of the roadway. The state has proposed extending the outer dedicated lane from Twinbrook Parkway to just beyond Broadwood Drive on the westbound side (traveling toward the Rockville Metro station), and beginning the dedicated lane just past Ardennes Avenue on the eastbound side (traveling toward Wheaton).
These lanes would also be used by local buses and right-turning vehicles. Where dedicated lanes aren’t possible, BRT vehicles would operate in mixed traffic, but with queue jumps at intersections. About 72 percent of the corridor would have dedicated lanes, with queue jumps at Edmonston Drive and First Street.
The selected alternative would have a minimal impact on properties along the route, cost less than the other options and potentially increase the amount of new transit commuters by 2,700 a day, while saving them travel time. The new high-capacity transit line also has the potential to spark reinvestment along the route.
The Montgomery County Transportation and Environment Committee will hear a presentation on BRT at its Dec. 19 meeting.