Montgomery Planning Board Recommends Removing Northern Section of Mid County Highway M83

Montgomery County officials are moving forward with significant changes to the county's transportation planning, particularly regarding the controversial Mid County Highway extended, also known as M83. During a recent meeting on July 21, 2025, the Planning Board recommended the removal of the unbuilt northern section of M83 from the master plan, a decision that has garnered considerable public interest and debate.

The proposed removal of this 5.7-mile segment, which would have extended from Montgomery Village Avenue through Great Seneca Park to Ridge Road in Clarksburg, is part of a broader technical update to the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways. The Planning Board's recommendation aims to align the county's transportation strategies with current community needs and environmental considerations. The southern section of M83, which connects to the Intercounty Connector, will remain in the plan.

This decision follows extensive public outreach and testimony, with many residents expressing concerns about traffic congestion and environmental impacts associated with the highway's construction. The Planning Board's recommendation reflects a shift in focus towards alternative transportation solutions, including Bus Rapid Transit along Maryland 355, which has been prioritized for improving capacity in the Up County region.

The council's discussions highlighted the historical context of M83, which has been part of planning documents since the late 1960s. However, as development in the Clarksburg area has increased, the need for a new approach to transportation has become evident. The council's decision to remove M83 from the master plan does not eliminate the possibility of future construction but complicates it by opening the right of way to potential abandonment.

In addition to the M83 discussions, the meeting addressed the removal of several smaller street segments from the master plan, a technical cleanup to ensure that the classifications align with the pedestrian master plan. These changes are expected to enhance the overall effectiveness of the county's transportation network.

As Montgomery County continues to evolve, the implications of these decisions will be closely monitored by residents and officials alike, shaping the future of transportation in the region. The next steps will involve further analysis of travel needs along the Clarksburg to Germantown corridor, ensuring that community voices remain central to the planning process.