​(September 4, 2025) — The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration has announced funding for long-awaited pedestrian, bicycle and roadway improvements along MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) in the Montgomery Hills area of Montgomery County. The department’s Draft Fiscal Year 2026 –2031 Consolidated Transportation Program​ allocates $50.8 million to fund all phases of the MD 97 project. Final design and utility relocations are underway, and construction is expected to begin in spring 2028.​

Improvements along a 0.7-mile stretch of Georgia Avenue between Forest Glen Road north of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and 16th Street will enhance safety, connectivity and accessibility for all users. The project will provide key pedestrian and bicyclist connections from the Forest Glen Metro Station, ultimately linking with the future Purple Line light rail Woodside Station in Silver Sp.

“The leadership of Governor Wes Moore, our partners in the Maryland General Assembly and the support of the Montgomery Hills’s community enabled us to secure the funding required to advance this critical safety project,” said Acting Maryland Transportation Secretary Samantha J. Biddle. “MDOT is committed to delivering this project for the community and providing greater opportunities for all those who live and work along this busy corridor.”

The project will provide MD 97 with three to four northbound and southbound lanes, depending on the segment, and will include:

• removal of the existing reversible center lane along sections of MD 97 and replacement with a raised landscaped median with dedicated left-turn lanes at four locations: southbound Forest Glen Road, southbound Flora Lane, southbound Columbia Boulevard and northbound Seminary Place;
• reduction of lane widths to 10 feet, except on outside lanes, to help reduce traffic speeds;
• creation of a two-way separated bicycle path extending along the west side of MD 97 from the existing bicycle and pedestrian path and bridge at the I-495 interchange to 16th Street, and further along the east side of 16th Street to 2nd Avenue;  
• reconfiguration of the MD 97/I-495 interchange to eliminate short weaving movements along both the I-495 Inner Loop and northbound MD 97; and
• new or upgraded sidewalks on both sides of MD 97 with a signalized pedestrian crossing at the MD 97 intersection with Flora Lane to improve access for residents and businesses.

MD97 Project Map

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​“Safety and accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable users are essential to create and maintain a transportation network that serves our entire community,” said Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, District 20, who represents Montgomery County. “The Montgomery Hills project has the support of the Maryland General Assembly because of its emphasis on safety and the opportunities it provides across all transportation modes, including important connections to our transit systems.”

“This long-awaited project to improve the safety and accessibility of Montgomery Hills has been more than 40 years in the making,” said Delegate Jared Solomon, District 18, who also represents the county in the General Assembly. “I’m proud of the partnership we’ve built with community leaders, county and federal colleagues, and the Maryland State Highway Administration to bring it to life. When completed, these upgrades will go a long way toward protecting pedestrians, revitalizing local businesses and ensuring a safer, more reliable commute for residents.” 

MD 97 carries an average of about 71,500 vehicles per day in the project area, and the county has named improvements in this corridor among its highest transportation priorities. 

“The Montgomery Hills MD 97 project is transformational for the community and has been a long time in the making,” said Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart. “When completed, it will connect communities, increase pedestrian and bike safety and overall improve Georgia Avenue for residents and businesses. We’re so excited to be here today because of the tireless advocacy of the community, as well as Delegates Charkoudian and Solomon. Thank you to MDOT and the Moore Administration for moving this forward.”​

Also attending the event was Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin, whose agency has collaborated with SHA on the project. Planning for MD 97 Montgomery Hills improvements began in 2012 and benefited from partnership with the Friends of Montgomery Hills and other community associations, local businesses and organizations.

Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Samantha J. Biddle (fourth from left) and MDOT SHA Administrator Will Pines (far right) join state and local officials and other stakeholders at MD 97.​​

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“SHA is excited to see this important safety project advance, bringing improvements that will enhance safety, connectivity and accessibility for all highway users,” said State Highway Administrator Will Pines. “The partnership with the community has been critical to moving this project forward and we look forward to coming back to celebrate its completion.” 

The project team also collaborated with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to ensure the improvements are consistent with the draft Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan. National Environmental Policy Act approval was received in fall 2019, and in summer 2024 a joint open house with the MD 390 Spring Street to Second Avenue project was held with more than 150 attendees.

“Securing full funding for Georgia Avenue improvements is nothing short of transformational for our community,” said Michelle Foster, President of the Friends of Montgomery Hills. “The widespread support shows how deeply people believe in turning Georgia Avenue from a highway that divides us into a tree-lined boulevard that unites us. This is a once-in-a-generation investment, and it will bring lasting benefits to our residents, our businesses and our shared future.”

The MD 97 Montgomery Hill project reinforces MDOT’s Complete Streets policy as well as its Serious About Safety initiative, a department-wide focus to drive safety goals and save lives. To view MDOT’s Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Consolidated Transportation Program, visit here.  

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