Oct 19, 2026 - TE Committee Worksession

The MoCo Council Transportation and Environment Committee worksession, dated October 20, 2026 in the meeting metadata (titled “Oct 19, 2026”), unanimously adopted an amendment to Bill 35-26 and advanced the bill. The amendment clarifies an exemption from the Forest Conservation Law’s prior-approval process for specified routine agricultural vegetation maintenance on land with an approved soil conservation and water quality plan. The committee then unanimously supported the hybrid alternative for the New Hampshire Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Facility Planning Study. Its estimated cost is $114 million, including approximately $28 million for buses, in 2023 dollars. This is a planning-stage recommendation; design and construction funding would be considered later through the capital improvements process, and no contract award or procurement approval was made.

The committee’s recommendations also include continued evaluation of a Colesville Park and Ride station, coordination with Takoma Park’s bikeway project, interim bus-service and transit-signal-priority improvements, and a comprehensive approach to pedestrian and bicycle safety. The discussion noted regional coordination with Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, Takoma Park, state agencies, and Metro.