Tag Al Roshdieh

We are beyond thrilled that County Executive Ike Leggett  and Council President Roger Berliner will be joining MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh to cut the ribbon on the wonderful new striped crosswalks popping up all over the Pike District.

The ribbon cutting will take place at our third Walkable Wednesday, September 27 at 6pm at the intersection of  Nicholson Lane and Executive Boulevard . These new crosswalks — and other pedestrian improvements we should be seeing soon — are a direct result of our advocacy through the Pike District Pedestrian Safety Campaign.

Please join Ike Leggett, Roger Berliner, and Al Roshdieh tomorrow at 6 pm.

We are beyond thrilled that County Executive Ike Leggett will be joining MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh to cut the ribbon on the wonderful new striped crosswalks popping up all over the Pike District.

The ribbon cutting will take place at our third Walkable Wednesday, September 27 at 6pm at the intersection of  Nicholson Lane and Executive Boulevard . These new crosswalks — and other pedestrian improvements we should be seeing soon — are a direct result of our advocacy through the Pike District Pedestrian Safety Campaign.

Please join Ike Leggett and Al Roshdieh and join us next Wednesday!

We hope you’ll be part of our third Walkable Wednesday.  This one is extra-special because MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh will be cutting the ribbon on newly painted crosswalks in the Pike District!

Yesterday, County Executive Ike Leggett, MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh, and Councilmember Hans Reimer cut the ribbon on the new Nebel Street separated bike lanes.

The Nebel Street six-foot-wide bike lanes are one-way and located against the curb on either side of the street with flexposts separating them from moving vehicles. A striped buffer area provides additional protection for cyclists.  Parking was removed on the west side of Nebel Street and relocated to the east side. The project includes the first, two-stage turn queue box, that was installed at the Nebel Street and Randolph Road intersection.  These boxes allow bicyclists to make left turns at multilane intersections from a right-side separated bike lane, or right turns from a left-side separated bike lane.

“The Pike District is in the process of transforming itself into a walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented community and the completion of the Nebel Street protected bike lane is one more step towards this goal,” said Leggett. “Creating a smart-growth community in the Pike District means more economic opportunities, more jobs and a better environment. It means making Montgomery County more competitive and brings greater prosperity and a stronger sense of community to this area.”

“MCDOT fully supports County Executive Leggett’s vision of the Pike District as a smart-growth community – one that provides a robust variety of transportation alternatives so people can get where they want to go without having to use a car,” said MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh. “I’m very proud that my entire department is committed to creatively using every opportunity to transform the County’s transportation infrastructure by expanding options for our residents, employees and visitors. We are building a balanced and comprehensive network – not only in the Pike District, but countywide – that is enhancing the quality of life for everyone in Montgomery County.”

Congratulations to Al Roshdieh, MoCo’s new Director of MCDOT. We applaud his focus on “transforming the transportation infrastructure to be even more transit-oriented, bikeable and walkable” and are excited to work with him and MCDOT to work on moving people, not just cars, through and to the Pike District. Below is the County’s news release about his appointment.

Yesterday, the Montgomery County Council approved the appointment of Al R. Roshdieh as Director of the Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Roshdieh has served as MCDOT Acting Director since December 22, 2014. During the past year, Roshdieh has reinvigorated the department’s mission and staff with a progressive vision for sustainable transportation that is outlined in a vision document that was also released today for the first time.

“Montgomery County is changing and to thrive we must meet the transportation challenges of the 21st century with fresh, creative solutions,” said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. “Over the past year while serving as Acting Director, Al Roshdieh has clearly demonstrated that he is the right person to move MCDOT forward. He has focused on transforming the transportation infrastructure to be even more transit-oriented, bikeable and walkable; boosted innovation throughout the department; successfully strengthened relationships with the community and, through public-private partnerships, enhanced economic development. Roshdieh has proven that he has the vision and leadership skills to deliver the first-rate, multimodal transportation system that Montgomery County needs.”

“My goal as MCDOT Director is to foster a transportation system that conserves natural resources, protects the environment, promotes social equity and helps stimulate economic growth,” said Roshdieh. “Montgomery County is a vital and innovative community that has embraced smart growth principles as the path to an even brighter future. I believe that by taking a comprehensive approach to mobility that promotes sustainable alternatives, we will further unlock the County’s economic potential and provide the very best transportation choices to move people and connect places.”

Roshdieh brings to MCDOT a wealth of knowledge and experience in developing transportation and public works policies and systems. He directed the implementation of many County initiatives, including the County Executive’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative, implementation of the Countywide Capitol Bikeshare program and development of the Bus Rapid Transit program. Roshdieh has enhanced economic development and increased the County’s tax base by successfully negotiating numerous public/private partnerships and mixed-use developments in the Wheaton, Bethesda and Silver Spring areas; redefining departmental approaches to enhancing pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety; encouraging innovation by directing projects such as transit screen installations, electric vehicle charging stations in garages and the County’s first cycle track; winning grants to expand Bikeshare in Wheaton, a shared use path and sidewalk in Clarksburg and a wayfinding system in Bethesda; and earning six National Association of Counties awards.

Under Roshdieh’s leadership, MCDOT has developed a new vision, mission and guiding principles that reflect the department’s refreshed direction. Entitled “Moving Forward Together” it outlines MCDOT’s core values:

Vision: A seamless transportation system for people of all ages, incomes and abilities that supports a vibrant and sustainable community.

Mission: To move people and connect places with the best transportation choices and services.

Guiding Principles:

• Provide an effective and efficient transportation system
• Keep our system reliable, safe and secure
• Engage and support our diverse community
• Enhance quality of life
• Be innovative and forward-thinking

“Moving Forward Together” is available online.