Starting on Labor Day, September 7, the Maryland Department of Transportation will begin removing the temporary bus lanes that run along Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. The 7.5‑mile corridor, which stretches from North Bethesda to Friendship Heights, was installed two months ago to accommodate the Metro Red Line’s major construction project, including a new mezzanine at Bethesda that will link the Red Line to the future Purple Line.

Why the lanes were added

During the Red Line overhaul, free shuttle services operated between the North Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations to help commuters avoid disruptions. At the time, officials said they would evaluate whether any portion of the temporary lanes should become permanent.

Decision to remove the lanes

After gathering traffic data, the department announced that the lanes will not be made permanent. Instead, they will be stripped of striping and signage overnight from Monday through Friday, with on‑street parking restored along the corridor.

Community reaction

Local residents expressed mixed feelings when asked about the removal. “The bus lanes are not honored,” said Jeanne Ferris, noting frequent illegal parking in the lanes. “The bus lane is not ideal. So, I would say get rid of it.” Others, like Lucca Maley, argued for keeping the lanes, citing heavy commuter traffic between DC and Maryland. “I think they should leave them permanent,” Maley said. Commuter Jesse Cresswell welcomed the change, saying he looks forward to riding the train without having to transfer.

What’s next

The transportation department plans to release a performance analysis of the temporary bus lanes this fall, which will inform future decisions about transit‑oriented roadway changes in the region.

Motorists should expect lane closures and signage removal during overnight work periods, and on‑street parking will be available once the project is complete.

Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.