Transportation Progress is Happening

As the House Chair of the Maryland General Assembly Transit Caucus and in a challenging budget year, I am thrilled to report progress on several major transportation projects in our community:

→ Purple Line is 80% Complete!The construction of the Purple Line has been fraught with bureaucratic delays and resulting traffic, pedestrian, community and business headaches of epic proportions, but it is now 80% complete! Several colleagues and I had a chance to tour the full route and remaining construction sites to get a better picture of the steps to completion and operation. Actual operation is expected in late 2027. I will continue to advocate for residents and businesses adversely affected by the construction and for ways to minimize the disruption and maximize safety as this long-awaited project is finally finished.

→ Georgia Avenue at the Beltway Improvements

After years of advocacy, the Maryland 97 Montgomery Hills Project is finally fully funded. This “Complete Streets” project will make the section of Georgia Avenue just south of 495:

- safer for all users;

- better for walking and biking; 

- easier for accessing nearby small businesses;

- more efficient for transit; and

- a more attractive gateway to downtown Silver Spring. 

→ Draft Consolidated Transportation Plan

The Maryland Department of Transportation has just released its Draft Consolidated Transportation Plan. It lays out the department’s six-year, $21.5 billion six year capital budget and priorities. You can also view the projects using this interactive map. As the plan is finalized, I will keep working for a robust transit system and roads that are safe and welcoming to all users.  

We Are America March:  September 18

A dedicated group of pro-Democracy activists have begun a 14-day walk from Independence Hall in Philadelphia and they are headed to the US Capitol. They will spend the evening of September 18th in Silver Spring before ending their march the following day. Cheer them on at an evening of celebration, sign-waving, voter registration, and live music.  

Activities go from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. at the Silver Spring United Methodist Church at 8900 Georgia Avenue. Bring pro-Democracy, pro-US Constitution, or No Kings signs, but no partisan or anti-Trump signs. The organizers want to be respectful of the church’s nonpartisan stance. 

Outdoor Movie Night in Hillandale:  September 19

Friends of White Oak invite you to their first Outdoor Movie night—a screening of Disney’s Encanto—at Hillandale Local Park on September 19th from 6:30 - 9:00 pm.  It’s a free family-friendly event. All ages are welcome. No ticket required; but RSVPs are appreciated.

District 20 Breakfast Club:  September 21

Join me and my fellow state legislators for a discussion of public safety. It happens through the District 20 Breakfast Club, which will meet at El Golfo restaurant on September 21st at 11:00 a.m.

White Oak Power in the Park:  September 27th

Looking for ways to lower your electrical bill?  Get information on how to do exactly that—plus lots of other great ideas to save and promote clean energy at our next Power in the Park event on Saturday, September 27th, from 10 am - 12 pm at White Oak Garden Apartments, 11600 Lockwood Drive, Silver Spring, MD.  Full details (in English, Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, French, and Farsi) are here.

School Volunteers Needed

Our local schools can always use more volunteers.  One program seeking volunteers is Empowering the Ages, which pairs volunteers who are 50+ with one preschooler and their family for two school years.  More details can be found here. 

Need Help on a State Issue?

If you need help with a state issue, please contact my office at Lorig.Charkoudian@house.maryland.gov or leave us a message at (410)-841-3423.

Onward, 

Lorig Charkoudian