On Thursday, September 4, Friends of Montgomery Hills was able to join state and local leaders gathered in Montgomery Hills to announce that the project to make long-awaited improvements to Georgia Avenue is now fully funded. This is more than a budget milestone; it is a once-in-a-generation chance to reshape the corridor into a safer, greener, more connected community center.
For over 40 years, plans have circulated to transform Georgia Avenue in Montgomery Hills into a tree-lined boulevard that feels like a neighborhood street, not a highway cutting through the middle of the surrounding neighborhoods. For decades, those plans stalled. Meanwhile, businesses struggle to attract foot traffic, and residents still dash across wide lanes with speeding cars. The heart of Montgomery Hills is too often treated as a place to drive through rather than a destination to walk, bike, gather, and shop.
That is finally changing. Thanks to years of persistent advocacy by Friends of Montgomery Hills (FOMH), local civic associations, our state legislative delegation, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), and many committed neighbors, the project is real and moving forward. By organizing, testifying, meeting with agencies, and showing what’s possible through efforts like the Montgomery Hills Street Fest, our community helped win the attention of elected leaders and secured full funding for the project. Michelle Foster, FOMH President, spoke at the announcement about the power of neighborhood collaboration to make this happen:
This project reflects the power of collaboration. Residents, civic associations, businesses, community advocates, and our state and county government partners came together around a shared goal: creating a corridor that is safer, more attractive, and truly multi-modal — one that better connects our neighborhoods with local businesses and serves as a welcoming gateway to Silver Spring.
Sept. 4, 2025 Project Funding Announcement
When complete, the reimagined Georgia Avenue corridor will:
- Reconnect neighborhoods — safer crossings and calmer traffic will knit together the communities on both sides of the corridor.
- Link to community assets — improved walking and biking access will make it easier for residents to connect with local businesses, Forest Glen Metro, downtown Silver Spring, nearby schools, and eventually the Purple Line.
- Be safer for everyone — replacement of the reversible lane with a median, improved sidewalks, and protected cycle lane will make traveling along the corridor easier and safer whether you’re on foot, on a bike, in a wheelchair, or in a car.
- Support local businesses — a more attractive, walkable environment invites people to stop, linger, and shop locally.
- Create a sense of place — with trees, wider sidewalks, and space for people, Georgia Avenue will become the kind of main street that strengthens neighborhood identity.
This is a pivotal moment for Montgomery Hills. After decades of waiting, the vision of a tree-lined boulevard that connects rather than divides is finally within reach. The work ahead will take time, but the outcome will be worth it: a stronger, safer, more vibrant Montgomery Hills.
Voices of Support for the Project from State and Local Leaders:
This project will be transformative on so many levels – building community, supporting local business, healthy and safe transportation options, efficient transit, and beauty! It is a reminder of how when a community comes together with a vision and is persistent in pursuing that vision, real transformation is possible. I am so grateful to community members who have worked on this for decades and worked with me over the last 7 years to get us to this point. I’m looking forward to seeing this vision become a reality.
Lorig Charkoudian, Maryland State Delegate, District 20
This long-awaited project to improve the safety and accessibility of Montgomery Hills has been more than 40 years in the making. I’m proud of the partnership we’ve built with Friends of Montgomery Hills and community leaders to upgrade and transform the “Gateway to Silver Spring.” The collaboration on this project has helped bring community members together and strengthen our neighborhoods. When completed, these roadway enhancements and new green spaces will not only protect pedestrians, but revitalize local businesses, create a safer, more reliable commute, and create a more vibrant Silver Spring.
Jared Solomon, Maryland State Delegate, District 18
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.
Maryland SHA Administrator, William Pines
Today is a great to celebrate and we got here thanks to many years of strong community involvement to protect our neighborhoods. I have been working with our neighbors since my days on the Planning Board to transform Georgia Avenue into a boulevard where people can walk, bike, roll, take transit and drive safely. Indeed, this Georgia Avenue transformation is the heart of the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan I worked on. Now, we are finally here, with funds!!!, making this vision become reality. Now, what’s next: pushing to have the Forest Glen passageway constructed with no delays. This is a long-anticipated 334-foot pedestrian tunnel under Georgia Avenue at Forest Glen Road providing a direct, accessible connection to the Forest Glen Metro station.
Montgomery County Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez
The Montgomery Hills MD-97 project is transformational for the community and has been a long time in the making. 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, Delegates Charkoudian and Solomon. Thank you to MDOT and the Moore Administration for moving this forward.
Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart
The coming changes to the Georgia Ave gateway will make our neighborhoods more inviting, beautiful and safe for residents and visitors alike. We all know this overhaul has been needed for decades, so major congratulations are in order for Friends of Montgomery Hills and all the rest who made this possible!
David Moon, Maryland State Delegate, District 20
I want to thank all the community members who advocated, educated and organized in support of this project. The next time I’m getting a haircut at Jalal’s or buying bagels at Goldberg’s, I’m going to smile knowing that good things are on the horizon for Georgia Avenue and all the residents and neighborhood businesses.”
Evan Glass, Montgomery County Councilmember (At-Large)
Get Involved
FOMH is a volunteer-driven organization, and we need your help to keep up the momentum. Whether it’s lending a hand with advocacy, pitching in on projects, or helping organize the Montgomery Hills Street Fest coming in April 2026, there are many ways to be part of the transformation. Join us and be part of shaping the future of our community. Learn more about us, our work, Montgomery Hills, the Georgia Avenue Project, and what you can do to support, including by donating to our organization.
And stay tuned for the next Montgomery Hills Street Fest, in April 2026!