Gas shortages, lines persist in Montgomery County

Despite the efforts of officials at all levels of government to downplay the Colonial Pipeline crisis, many gas stations across Montgomery County were still out of fuel yesterday, while others hosted lines of vehicles stretching out onto the roadways. Some stations switched their digital price signs to all zeros. 

Gas pumps at the Westbard Citgo station in Bethesda were roped off with yellow tape Thursday afternoon. Several stations on nearby River Road were dark last night, but drivers were able to queue up at the Shell station at 5110 River Road. Long lines were seen at gas stations at the Montgomery Village Center on Montgomery Village Avenue, and along Rockville Pike, as well.

Maryland Comptroller and Montgomery County resident Peter Franchot appeared unaware of the number of stations sold-out of gas, when he told The Washington Post that he doubted the gas app tallies of dry-tank stations across the state, arguing that the actual number was lower. Many media reports cited average prices significantly lower than what drivers were actually paying in Montgomery County yesterday. 

Although the Colonial Pipeline has been restarted after the owners reportedly paid a $5 million dollar ransom, it is taking time to restock stations. Some station managers reported receiving smaller amounts of gas than they would usually get per truck.

Rockville drivers line up as Colonial Pipeline crisis leads to gas panic, shortages at pumps in Montgomery County

 

Rockville drivers queued up for fuel yesterday, as the Colonial Pipeline crisis led to panic and shortages at Montgomery County gas stations. Last night, a line of cars at one Shell station stretched out onto Rockville Pike in front of the Pike Center. Gas prices have surged to over $3 and $4, depending upon which grade of fuel you are buying. The pipeline is reportedly coming back online, but it is expected to take several days to resupply gas stations across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States.

The line for gas at the Shell station by
TGI Friday's stretches out onto Rockville Pike
last night

More "signs" of future Wegmans on Rockville Pike

Preparations are still being made for demolition of the structures that currently occupy the land being redeveloped as Twinbrook Quarter across from Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Developer B.F. Saul has posted some new signage touting the project's eagerly-awaited anchor tenant, a Wegmans grocery store. 

Rockville Metro station pedestrian bridge repairs (Video+Photos)

Repair work continues on the aging pedestrian skybridge over MD 355 at the Rockville Metro station. Work last night on the bridge required lane closures on the roadway below, as a crew operated from street level.

Car stolen from Rockville apartment building parking garage

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen car at an apartment complex in Rockville yesterday. The vehicle was taken from a parking garage in the unit block of Upper Rock Circle along Shady Grove Road, according to crime data.

Montgomery County Council proposes property tax increase

The Montgomery County Council has proposed a property tax increase for the fiscal year beginning this July, according to an required announcement published in local newspapers. If approved as is, property taxes would rise 4.7% in FY-2022. 

The Council has raised property taxes every year except FY-2015, when the average homeowner received a meager $12 savings, in an election year budget. FY-2017 had the highest tax increase on record; while officially 9%, due to ever-increasing assessments, it was effectively a 10 to 11% tax increase for many Montgomery County homeowners.

A property tax increase amidst the pandemic is raising eyebrows among taxpayers aware of the proposal, and in the business community. The County economy has been moribund for over a decade, according to federal government statistics, with Montgomery at rock bottom in the region by every relevant economic development measure from job creation to business growth.

E. Montgomery Avenue reopens along Regal Row in Rockville Town Center

E. Montgomery Avenue has reopened to traffic all the way along "Regal Row" in Rockville Town Center. A section of the roadway in front of World of Beer was temporarily closed during the pandemic. Regal Cinemas is scheduled to reopen there later this month.