MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County transportation officials have started working on dedicated bus lanes on University Boulevard (MD-193). Montgomery County Department of Transportation expects the project to be completed by early December.
The bright-red lanes on MD-193 between Amherst Avenue and Dennis Avenue will provide faster Ride On and Metrobus service in the corridor. The Department of Transportation said it will also improve the connection between Four Corners and Metrorail at Wheaton Station.
Along with the new paint, the lanes will have "Bus Only" text. Installation of the bus lanes will involve paint and signage with minimal construction impacts to drivers, community members and surrounding businesses, MCDOT said.
The lanes are part of a 12-month pilot program, with an evaluation in December 2025. The dedicated bus lanes stretch for two miles along one of the area's busiest corridors. WMATA's C2 and C4 lines operate along the route and bring more than 9,000 riders each weekday, the second-highest ridership in the D.C. region.
“Montgomery County continues to enjoy tremendous growth; we are projected to have an almost 30-percent increase in jobs in our region over the next 30 years,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “An efficient and reliable public transportation system is key to accommodating a growing population. The dedicated bus lanes along University Boulevard will ensure riders are able to access jobs or other opportunities with less traffic congestion and a lower environmental footprint than by car.”
The bus lanes are an initiative of the MCDOT Bus Priority Project to improve bus service in Montgomery County. WMATA partnered with MCDOT to seek approval for the project from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT/SHA), which maintains jurisdiction over the State road.
The new bus lanes also will allow for emergency vehicles and bicycles. Cars can enter the bus lane only to make a right turn, no more than 100 feet before the turn.
“Dedicated bus lanes benefit everyone,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “The intended outcome is to increase bus ridership by providing more reliable and faster service. We know that if we want more people to use the bus, we have to compete with cars by being faster and more convenient. This project will help us achieve that. Additionally, the bus lanes will provide more separation from higher-speed traffic for people walking along University Boulevard and will reduce number of cars in the right lane, improving conditions for bicyclists.”
More information on the project can be found here.