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County programs $5 million earmark for North Bethesda Metro entrance; regional bus projects still await federal approvals
Summary
County staff incorporated a $5 million congressional earmark for a northern entrance at North Bethesda Metro Station into the CIP but said other project elements and related USDOT RAISE funding remain delayed; staff also updated the committee on regional bus rapid transit projects and Howard County MOU for Flash BRT expansion
Montgomery County staff told the Transportation and Environment Committee on March 3 that a $5 million congressional earmark has been programmed into the FY25–30 CIP for a northern entrance at the North Bethesda Metro Station, but broader project elements and a separate USDOT RAISE competitive grant remain delayed pending federal execution and WMATA coordination.
The county’s presentation said the northern entrance will respond to limited platform access (current access is concentrated at the south end) and that the project’s final scope and schedule depend on WMATA’s selection of a development partner and coordination around contributions. Staff said the earmark is distinct from a RAISE (USDOT) grant that the county had also pursued; staff moved forward to program the earmark because it is a congressional appropriation rather than a discretionary USDOT award that requires the same approvals.
Transit projects beyond North Bethesda: County staff also updated the committee on bus rapid transit (BRT) and bus-related projects. Director Conklin said the Howard County Flash BRT expansion MOU has been signed by Howard County and returned to Montgomery County; the MOU lays out capital contributions, reimbursement terms and a revenue-sharing provision tied to state BRT funds on US 29 once Phase 2 is operational. The committee had previously approved a supplemental appropriation of $4.8 million for electric bus procurement tied to that regional BRT effort. Staff cautioned, however, that federal grant signature uncertainty means the county will not execute grant-dependent work until USDOT/FTA signs awards.
Staff also noted the Veirs Mill Road BRT project has a favorable rating from the FTA and is expected to receive an $8.1 million project-development grant and a $135 million Small Starts build grant if and when the FTA executes awards; the county is also relying on an existing $13 million hydrogen-fuel grant to support bus procurement for some projects.
Committee members asked how reimbursements and intergovernmental arrangements would work. Director Conklin described three elements of the Howard County MOU: Howard County’s capital contribution toward buses, reimbursement terms from Howard County to Montgomery County for operating costs, and potential state-BRT revenue sharing with Montgomery County when Howard County becomes eligible for those funds.
