MCDOT is committed to working with other transportation organizations at every level of government to create a comprehensive, efficient and seamless transportation system that moves people and connects places throughout our region.
Master/Sector Plan Transportation Review
Master/Sector Plans are prepared by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). MCDOT provides input to M-NCPPC on the feasibility of the plans, whether they are implementable and how well they coordinate with other MCDOT projects and long range planning objectives. MCDOT weighs in during the plan development and approval process, providing comments to the Office of the County Executive and coordinating with other agencies and the County Council.
Master/Sector Plans direct land development and the creation of new infrastructure, establishing the types of land uses that are permitted or encouraged and the pathways for roads, sidewalks, bikeways, etc.
A Functional Master Plan focuses on a system or a policy and does not make recommendations about land use or zoning. Examples of the County's functional master plan topics include bikeways, transit corridors, rustic roads and the Purple Line.
Get more information on Master/Sector Plans and the planning process.
Regional Coordination
- Transportation Planning Board (TPB)
MCDOT works through the TPB to ensure that the region's current and future transportation network is integrated and planning and service delivery are coordinated. The TPB, which is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the region, is comprised of representatives from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia; area counties and municipalities; and federal transportation agencies. The MCDOT Director is the County Executive's designated member on the TPB and the Deputy Director of Transportation Policy serves as the Alternate.
MCDOT participates in the following TPB coordination activities:- Constrained Long Range Plan (CLRP) : The CLRP identifies all of the regionally significant capital improvements to highway and transit systems that area transportation agencies expect to make and can afford over the next 20 or more years. Projects must collectively meet air quality improvement goals established by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.
- Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) : The TIP is the official listing of the region's short-term transportation priorities. It includes all the regionally significant projects that the states and other jurisdictions have approved and are intending to implement over the next six years.
Visit the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments website for more information.
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
WMATA owns and operates Metrorail, Metrobus and Metro Access, which provide service in Montgomery County -- along with MCDOT's Ride On bus system. The MCDOT Director's Office and WMATA collaborate closely on planning and operations.
- Capital Bikeshare
MCDOT coordinates on Capital Bikeshare rates and policies with the other regional partners who sponsor this multi-jurisdictional bikeshare system.
Maryland Department of Transportation ( MDOT) Coordination
- Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA)
MCDOT works closely with SHA on their plans, programs and projects to ensure they meet the transportation goals, objectives and priorities of Montgomery County. SHA maintains and operates all numbered roads in Montgomery County. Planning for development and projects along these roads requires support from both SHA and MCDOT, and the two agencies work together on Maryland's Consolidated Transportation Program, the state's six-year transportation budget. Visit SHA's website to view current projects.
- Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)
MTA owns, operates, plans and funds regional transit systems in Maryland. In Montgomery County, MTA operates commuter bus routes and commuter rail (MARC) stations and plans for the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) and the Purple Line. MCDOT's Purple Line Coordinator ensures County interests and communities are represented in this important project and staff work closely with MTA on the CCT and other efforts. MCDOT also supports MARC by providing parking spaces and Ride On bus service to many of the stations located within Montgomery County.
- Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA)
MCDOT coordinates with MDTA, which operates the Intercounty Connector/MD 200 (ICC) toll facility.
2017 County Transportation Priorities Letter to MDOT.
Federal and State Coordination
MCDOT works with the Federal Government, the State of Maryland and elected local, state and federal officials on transportation-related issues. As many Federal facilities are located in the County, staff coordinate closely with these agencies as well as the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service and Army Corps of Engineers.
- Grants
MCDOT seeks grants to fund priority projects within the County, including BUILD grants, (formerly Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery or TIGER grants), FTA Capital Grants, and INFRA discretionary grants, among others. - Legislation
The Montgomery County Office of Intergovernmental Relations and MCDOT coordinate review of State and Federal legislation that could have transportation-related impacts in Montgomery County. - Federal and State Delegations
MCDOT works closely with the Montgomery County Office of Intergovernmental Relations on transportation-related issues as it represents the County at the regional, state and federal levels and serves as liaison with state government, the County's state delegation and federal congressional staff. - Compliance
MCDOT ensures that the County complies with Federal and State regulations concerning operation and maintenance of our transit system, roads and bridges.