Shared Streets aims to bring residents together in a safe outdoor environment while supporting county businesses that have struggled from the economic impacts of the pandemic.
“It is evident that despite progress we have made in combatting the pandemic with our highest vaccination rate and lowest case rates, many of our residents feel more comfortable gathering outside and Shared Streets has been a popular program to serve that demand,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This program has also been economically beneficial to our business community."
Shared Streets are currently operating in Downtown Bethesda, Wheaton and Silver Spring. County Regional Service Centers collected community feedback on the use of the public right of ways and the benefits to communities including business.
As part of the Shared Streets program, county residents can apply to bring a smaller version of Shared Streets to their street. MCDOT will temporarily limit vehicles to local traffic only for the selected blocks. Applications for the Shared Streets Block Permit can be found here https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT/sharedstreets/surveys/block-permit.html.
For more on Shared Streets and a listing of locations visit, https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot/sharedstreets/.