Purple line construction update, Silver Spring

 

Wayne Avenue at Fenton Street

The intersection of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street is closed in all directions for construction of the Purple Line light rail.  Here are the barricades across Wayne Ave. 

Dug up Wayne and Fenton

This is what the intersection of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street looks like right now. There road has been torn up where they are putting in the light rail tracks. 

Tracks to the Silver Spring Library Station

The light rail tracks curve away from Bonifant Street and go towards the library.  The tracks are fully installed, but the rest of the road needs work. 

Tracks on Bonifant Street

The light rail tracks on Bonifant Street where they curve towards the library. 

Crossing Georgia

Here is where the Purple Line light rail tracks cross Georgia Avenue. They are fully installed in the street, but the other side of the road still needs tracks. 

Unite to Save NOAA rally

 The Unite to Save NOAA rally was today between 10 and 11 am at the headquarters of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD.  There were several speakers and a large group of people there showing their support.

Along the road half a dozen people were holding signs telling people to "Honk for NOAA!". Many drivers did honk as they drove past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Street bridge replacement

I went to see how the Spring Street bridge replacement is going.  This bridge is being replaced so that the Purple Line light rail can go under Spring St.

Where the bridge was (Feb 2025)

All that is left of the old bridge is a few concrete columns sticking up into the air.  On the right, you can see new columns being built that wil support the future bridge. This is on the east side of the bridge, the railroad tracks are closest to the camera and the metro tracks are on the other side.

The bridge in August 2024

This is how things looked last August.  Frankly, it doesn't look too different.  Those same 3 columns are poking up between the metro tracks and the train tracks.  On the far side you can see there is a full row of supports that have since been removed.  This photo was taken from the west side, so here the metro tracks are closest to the camera and the railroad tracks are on the other side.

The approach to the bridge (February 2025)

This is the eastern approach to the Spring Street bridge. There is construction material staged along the left side and a larch crane is at the top.

 

The approach to the bridge (August 2024)

Here is the same section of Spring Street last August. Notice the difference?  The crane visible in the distance is on the far side of the bridge and there is nothing staged in the road.

A wider shot

Here's another shot of the bridge construction.  A metro train happened to come along right as I was taking the photo.

Please Do Not Lean On The Window

 

I'm not one to randomly lean on windows, but this sign really makes me want to lean on this one. "PLEASE DO NOT LEAN ON THE WINDOW", "THANK YOU"

Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD

Town Square Garage changing how you pay

 On or about July 31, 2023 (so the end of next month) they are switching payment systems in Garage 61. This is the Town Square Garage next to the Silver Spring Civic Building and Ellsworth Drive.  Instead of paying when you return to your car, you will have to pay in advance for how long you think you will be there.  I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand, I really like paying when I leave so I pay exactly the right amount. I also really don't like the pay-by-plate system, it is too slow. I much prefer pay by parking spot number. On the other hand, I have long found it odd that there are so many different payment systems in different garages throughout Montgomery County

According to the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT):

 On or about July 31, 2023, Garage 61 will be converted to a pay-by-plate facility. Click here to learn more about the payment system. Mobile payment will be available following the conversion through Parkmobile and Passport. To use mobile payment, enter the seven digit zone number (3610001), enter your license plate, choose your duration and begin the session. Card Access will be replaced by PCS Permits.

 

Old and new payment machines

 

The old payment machines are still active until the end of July, the one on the left accepts credit cards and cash (exact change only), the one on the right only accepts credit cards.  The two new machines are already installed but are covered up.

Also worth noting is that in both Silver Spring and Bethesda you will have to pay to park on Saturdays starting from July 8.  MCDOT says "On or about July 8, 2023, Saturday payment will be required.  Rates and hours requiring payment will be the same as the rest of the week."

8787 Georgia Avenue construction

 

The construction of 8787 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. The building is full height and covert in a white Tyvek wrap.  When finished it will have 376 residential units and up to 32,000 square feet of retail space including a Mom's Organic Market.  This site used to be the location of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Headquarters (M-NCPPC) for the Montgomery County Planning Department and had a large surface parking lot.

 

The front view of the new 8787 Georgia Avenue currently being constructed with an estimated completion date of this Fall. There are two buildings that will be connected to each other and there will be underground parking, this is the west building, there is also one to the east.  You can view the Preliminary Plan and Site Plan here.