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County and municipal leaders press MDOT on local priorities: Montgomery Hills, White's Ferry, American Legion Bridge and HUR funding
Summary
Montgomery County leaders thanked MDOT for targeted safety and bus investments but urged sustained funding and coordination on priorities including the Montgomery Hills project, White's Ferry negotiations, American Legion Bridge/I‑270 corridor planning, and worries about a projected drop in Highway User Revenues (HUR).
Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart and county staff praised MDOT for funding that will move the Montgomery Hills (MD 97) safety project toward construction and for partnering on bus rapid transit and Purple Line completion. Council and county officials asked MDOT to keep highway user revenue (HUR) levels stable and noted that projected statewide HUR declines would strain municipal road and bridge maintenance budgets.
County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Ken Hartman Espada thanked MDOT for involving county representatives on boards and commissions and noted the county’s interest in federal USDOT grant requirements for North Bethesda redevelopment. Director Chris Conklin described progress on local BRT projects and noted advanced design work on US‑29, MD‑355 and Veirs Mill Road projects.
Delegates and county officials also discussed White’s Ferry, a privately owned crossing on the Potomac River with longstanding operational challenges. County and state staff said they are engaged with stakeholders and that there is quiet movement toward a resolution; officials warned federal legal and jurisdictional complexities when multiple states and private owners are involved.
On the American Legion Bridge and I‑270 corridor, county and state representatives said corridor segmentation and community engagement remain central to eventual design and funding decisions. Delegates urged timely action on bridge safety and long‑range investments while noting the need to balance Metro and other regional priorities.
What happens next: County representatives will follow up with MDOT on HUR allocations and specific BRT project timelines; MDOT said it will continue to engage on White’s Ferry and bridge corridor planning and will coordinate with the county on federal grant applications and project stages.
