The Corridor Cities Transitway
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is studying various alternatives for providing bus or light rail service along or near I-270 to become the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT). The route would extend from the Shady Grove Metrorail Station to Clarksburg.
Proposed Master Plans for Germantown and Gaithersburg West rely on the CCT as a means to enable clustering of houses, jobs, and retail near transit to support uptown activity centers and lessen reliance on automobiles.
Master Plans in both Frederick and Montgomery counties call for the eventual extension of the CCT north to Frederick, Maryland. The CCT study is part of a larger effort, the I-270-/US 15 Multi-Modal Corridor Study, that is being conducted by the Maryland Department of Transportation. That study is examining a wide range of roadway improvements, including the introduction of Express Toll Lanes (ETL) on I-270.
View the CCT map (September 2006)
Current Activity (as of December 12, 2007)
The study focus at this time is on finalizing the ridership estimated for the alternatives under consideration. It is anticipated that these estimates will be made available within the next 30 days. Work also continues on the review of planned development along the corridor so that the right of way remains protected and consistent with adopted master plans. The review of development activity is carried out jointly between the MTA project team, the Planning Department and the Department of Public Works & Transportation.
Planning Items
In Montgomery County, a partial list of major items to be addressed in the study include the mode (bus or light rail), the design and location of an associated hiker/biker trail, station location and configuration, development review along the corridor, and the potential location of an operations and maintenance site and storm water maintenance areas.
Upcoming Schedule
It is now anticipated that the Draft Environmental Assessment Study will be completed in late spring 2008 at which time a public meeting would be held on the study results. The MTA staff is available to make presentations on the CCT study activities to interested Civic Associations and other groups along the corridor.
M-NCPPC Staff Contact
Tom
Autrey, Transportation Planning
301-495-4533
Thomas.Autrey@mncppc-mc.org
