Build the CCT!

There will be many more posts on the CCT to come, but this is a shout out to get this needed light rail built, and SOON! In case you are short on details (believe me, we all are) the CCT, or Corridor Cities Transitway, is a bus or light rail connection that will ultimately link the Shady Grove Metro station with Clarksburg. The Planning Board published this map of the route. Much of the route (about 60%) has been preserved (notice those extra-wide medians on King Farm Boulevard and Crystal Rock Drive?) and is publicly owned right-of-way that will not plow through neighborhoods. Several segments are under debate as is the location of the rail yard and the mode (bus or light rail). The County has voiced strong preference for light rail and as the project would be divided up into phases, the first phase would extend to Metropolitan Grove. Unfortunately this project is being held up by the Governor and it may be 2015 or later before we seen any groundbreakings.

One of the design flaws that was not forseen by planners is that it takes far too long for commuters heading from the upper reaches of the line to get to Shady Grove. The CCT snakes through office parks, diverting to Kentlands instead of directly to Shady Grove. It may end up being faster to drive to Shady Grove than take the train. This will dramatically reduce its ridership. What the planned route does do is link major population centers within the Upcounty, offering an attractive alternative to driving shorter distances.

COMING UP: There are several modifications to the CCT design that I suggest to improve the overall mass transit network in Montgomery County.