Montgomery County Planning Board Updates Master Plan for Highways and Transitways

The Montgomery County, Maryland, TE Committee convened on July 21, 2025, to discuss significant updates to the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways. This meeting focused on a technical update to the plan, which was last adopted in 2018 and has since been amended by various master plans, including the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan and the I-270 Transit Plan.

The primary purpose of the 2025 update is to align the master plan with the county's recent legislative approvals, specifically the Complete Streets Design Guide and the Street and Road Classification. While most changes are technical, a notable proposal includes the removal of the northern section of the Mid County Highway Extended (M83), a long-debated project that has faced decades of public scrutiny and discussion.

The meeting began with introductions from committee members and planning staff, including Chair Richard Brockmeyer and Transportation Planning Supervisor David Anspacher. Project Manager Sofia Aldrich presented an overview of the master plan, emphasizing its role as a living document that evolves with ongoing transportation recommendations across the county.

Aldrich highlighted the challenges of maintaining updated maps and documentation as new master plans are completed. The committee engaged in discussions about the implications of the proposed changes and the importance of the master plan in guiding future transportation infrastructure in Montgomery County.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further discussions on the proposed changes and their potential impact on the community. The committee plans to continue reviewing the master plan and its updates in future sessions, ensuring that the transportation needs of Montgomery County residents are met effectively.