⚠️👀BE ALERT👀⚠️ for blowing and drifting❄️ snow ❄️across Montgomery County, MD roadways today!
#montgomerycountymd #mdroads #mdtraffic #weekend #blowingsnow #MDOT

⚠️ICYMI ⚠️

👷‍♂️MDSHA is advising motorists of upcoming (BGE) work on both directions of I-95. Beginning at 4:00am on Sunday, Jan 11, 2026, BGE crews will install new overhead lines along northbound and southbound I-95 between MD 175 and MD 103. (weather permitting)

👷‍♂️For more details, please click here ▶️ https://www.roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/pressreleasedetails.aspx?newsId=5538&PageId=818 #mdroads #mdtraffic #transittooter #maryland #MDOT #MDSHA

🚦Reminder🚦
Due to💨 high winds💨 forecasted for later today, you might encounter a flashing or dark traffic signal 🚦 while driving around #MontgomeryCountyMD. Please follow the protocol below if you happen to come across a malfunctioning 🚦traffic light.
(📸from FontanaCal )
#MDTraffic #MDroads #MDOT #highwinds #badweather #mdcommuters #commuting #alert

MDOT is trying to sneak in a rule that will limit protests. We need to tell them no.

Find out more: https://kcndvsbl.link/WcUkC

Get connected with KCI: https://linksta.cc/@KCI

#𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 #𝗺𝗱𝗼𝘁 #𝗸𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆

Hard no on this one. MDOT facilities are public spaces.

"A slate of proposed regulations put forth by the Michigan Department of Transportation have activists and political advocacy groups up in arms, as the department mulls broad restrictions on political activity at its facilities, with criminal penalties for those who stray from the rules.”

"Among the affected areas would be rest areas, as well as bridges and overpasses…”

#michigan #mdot
https://michiganadvance.com/2025/11/07/mdot-protest-rules-raise-eyebrows-first-amendment-concerns-among-lawyers-political-advocates/

✳️Reminder✳️
MDSHA will hold a public informational workshop on Wednesday, Nov.5, 2025 to present proposed improvements for pedestrian🚶‍♀️& bicycle🚴‍♀️ safety along the MD 193 corridor & gather community feedback.
⭐Details▶️ https://mdot-sha-md193-md97-to-us29-moa72b21-maryland.hub.arcgis.com/ #maryland #MDOT #visionzero #bikemoco #montgomerycountymd #November #feedback

MDOT is trying to sneak in a rule that will stop protests. We need to tell them no.
Find out more: https://kcndvsbl.link/WcUkC
Get connected with KCI: https://linksta.cc/@KCI

#𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 #𝗺𝗱𝗼𝘁 #𝗸𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆

So, it looks like #MDOT hired someone to take down the two #GreenAsh trees down the road from us (that were infested with #EmeraldAshBorer ). Whoever took them down knew what they were doing. Nothing but a bit of the stumps left. As for the ash trees down the road the other way? I think they belong to the neighbors who have been having domestic issues lately.

#EAB #MaineTrees #SaveTheAshTrees

Every person walking🚶‍♂️ , biking🚴‍♂️ , or driving🚗 deserves to get home 🏡 safely.
#MontgomeryCoMD, #MCDOTNow, #MCPD and #MDSHA partner to manage speeds because the faster you go, the deadlier the outcome.
⭐ Slow🐢 down, save lives👨 👩‍🦰
#MDOT #MDCommuters #MDRoads #MDTraffic #VisionZero

🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶
#MDOT is hosting several webinars spotlighting🚶walking🚶‍♀️, the official state exercise.
⭐️Join MDOT every Thursday during October from 10:30am to Noon at one of their FIVE #free Walkinars.
Details🔗 https://mdot.maryland.gov/tso/pages/Index.aspx?PageId=123 #montgomerycountymd #walking #maryland #webinars #october #walktober #free

What's on my mind? Why #SmilingHillFarm! And yeah, I suspect #MTA / #MDOT is going to try and build the #GorhamConnector again, since the bill to kill the connector failed. I heard the new Maine Turnpike Authority director on WMPG earlier today. It sounds like they are going to have MDOT push the connector through -- rather than build #LightRail or a #RapidTransitBusSystem or safer #BikeLanes! smh...

#Maine - Bill to kill Gorham Connector crashes in committee

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 8, 2025

"A bill that would ensure the controversial Gorham Connector proposal is dead was soundly rejected by the Legislature’s transportation committee this week. LD 1020 would repeal 2017 legislation that directed the Maine Turnpike Authority to plan and build a toll highway extension from South Portland, through Scarborough and Westbrook, to Gorham. The bill follows the authority’s announcement in March that it enlisted the Maine Department of Transportation to consider alternative solutions to commuter traffic congestion west of Portland. Neither agency has said the connector proposal has been dropped entirely."

https://www.restore.org/maineenvironews/2025/5/9/bill-to-kill-gorham-connector-crashes-in-committee

#SaveTheFarms #SaveSmilingHillFarm #GorhamConnector #InducedSprawl #SaveRedBrook #Maine #InducedDemand#ProtectTheWetlands #BrookTrout #HuskyLine #RapidBusTransit #MainersForSmarterTransportation

🟣UPDATE🟣
The temporary closure of the Wayne Ave & Fenton St intersection has been extended to about Sept. 5, 2025, due to utility conflicts.
👷‍♂️ #PurpleLineMD crews estimate that the work will be completed sometime after #LaborDay.
🌟 Detour Maps🗺️ https://purplelinemd.com/media/czjdtsf0/notice-wayne-fenton-072125update2.pdf #montgomerycountymd #maryland #MDOT #MTA #SilverSpringMD #transportation #transit

🌟ICYMI🌟
#MCDOT was awarded $250,000 in funding by #MDOT to support the development of a mixed-use transit development project in #NorthBethesdaMD.
🌟 Details🔗 https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=47306&Dept=50 #montgomerycountymd #maryland #wmata #rockvillemd #metrorail #pikedistrict #pikeandrose #mdcommuters #commuting

So, I heard back from #MDIFW about #EAB in our area. Apparently, my town is one that was recently identified to have Emerald Ash Borer outbreaks. They gave me information about treating the #GreenAsh trees (or taking them down), and an arborist friend of mine down the road was recommended to deal with infested trees. #MDOT may be responsible for taking down the ones by the road that are too far gone, but I'll let them know that there's someone nearby who they could hire to do that. I'll be talking to the neighbors who have the tree that might be saved about pesticide application. The #WhiteAsh tree by the #SacoRiver (which I don't think is infected), would be tricky to deal with, since pesticides could get into the river (though it's not like the Saco is potable water anyways -- but still. And it flows into the ocean). Anyhow, I have a plan of action. I'll provide updates on the trees as needed.

#MaineTrees #CitizenScience
#EmeraldAshBorer #SaveTheTrees #InvasiveSpecies #ProtectTheTrees #Stewardship #YorkCountyMaine

🔌🚘🔌
#MDOT is seeking your input 🗣️for #Maryland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan (ZEVIP).
⚠️The survey will remain open until this Friday, June 13, 2025⚠️
👨‍💻 Survey🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JSRYNJX #Maryland #EVCars #EVCharging #MDCommuters #Commuting #MontgomeryCountyMD #survey #Transit

This morning, we celebrated 50 years of #MCDOT's #RideOn Bus service! The🚌system was launched in 1975 with 20 buses. Today, #RideOn has a fleet of almost 400 ADA-accessible buses, which served 18 million riders throughout #montgomerycountymd in fiscal year 2024! More details can be found here▶️ https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=46956&Dept=50
#maryland #busservice #mdot #silverspringmd #bethesdamd #rockvillemd #takomaparkmd #TransitHistory #TransitTooter

When it comes to standing up to #Trump, I laud #Maine Governor #JanetMills. But when it comes to #Wabanaki #Sovereignty, building wind terminals on undeveloped islands (#SearsIsland / #Wahsumkik ), destroying untouched forests to supply #WesternMass with electricity, or building highways through farmland (#MDOT), we definitely DO NOT always see eye-to-eye!

Governor opposed to latest change to #SettlementAct backed by #WabanakiNations

by Emma Davis
Wed, April 9, 2025

"Discussion of legislation to afford the Wabanaki Nations more authority over their land revealed that Gov. Janet Mills does not support the change, presenting a steep path for a plan that otherwise has bipartisan support.

"After not testifying during the public hearing last week, the governor’s counsel, Jerry Reid, told the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that Mills’ concerns stem from the inability to predict the future needs of state government, an issue also raised in written testimony from the #MaineDepartmentOfTransportation, which was made available after the hearing.

"When pressed by committee members, Reid said he doesn’t have a specific example of an infrastructure project that would warrant seizing tribal land but that, 'We need to write the law mindful of the potential for problems.'

"While Reid and Wabanaki leaders noted that progress has and continues to be made to improve the relationship between the state and Wabanaki Nations, Reid added, 'the fact that we have such a good relationship right now might not always be true.'

"The U.S. government can seize private property for public use, a principle known as eminent domain, however that authority is restricted by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which requires just compensation for land taken, as well as some federal laws.

"The 1834 federal Indian Nonintercourse Act prohibited land transactions with tribes unless authorized by Congress. However, the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act specified that that federal law was not applicable to the #HoultonBand of #Maliseet Indians, the #PassamaquoddyTribe and the #PenobscotNation.

"This is the act that has overall resulted in the Tribes being treated more akin to #municipalities than #SovereignNations. So far, sweeping changes to the act have failed due to opposition from Mills, but the governor, lawmakers and Wabanaki leaders have successfully made some targeted adjustments, including expanding tribal authority to prosecute crimes last year.

"The legislation being considered this session, #LD958, would amend the Settlement Act to prohibit the state from exercising eminent domain on trust and reservation land, which is protected under federal law, though fee land — or private property for which the owner owns the title — would still be subject to the state taking.

"The bill would also amend the 2023 #MikmaqNationRestorationAct to make this change for the Mi’kmaq Nation, which wasn’t included in the Settlement Act.

"On Tuesday, the Taxation Committee unanimously voted in favor of a bill to ensure equal tax treatment among all of the Wabanaki Nations, which Mills supports. #LD982 would provide the #MikmaqNation the same rights to sales tax revenue on its land that the other three tribes of the Wabanaki Nations were granted in 2022 through an amendment to the Settlement Act.
State hasn’t exercised this authority in decades, but argues it’s necessary

"The state hasn’t exercised eminent domain over #TribalLands since the #SettlementAct. However, testimony from Wabanaki leaders and state government officials underscore that it is a possibility."

Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/governor-opposed-latest-change-settlement-185134791.html

#MaineSettlementAct #EminentDomain #LandTheft #FirstNations #WabanakiConfederancy
#MaineFirstNations #Maine #MainePol
#NativeAmericanNews #TribalSovereignty #SaveSmilingHillFarm #SaveTheForests #MainePol #IndigenousPeoplesDay

🗓️NEW🗓️
On Wednesday, April 30, at 7p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual👨‍💻public information meeting to discuss the proposed Brink Road Bridge over Great Seneca Creek Rehabilitation project in Gaithersburg, MD.
Details🔗 https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=46774&Dept=50
#montgomerycountymd #gaithersburgmd #montgomeryvillagemd #mdtraffic #mdroads #mdcommuters #mdot #mcdot #meeting