(September 19, 2013) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) recently began a $2.1 million safety and resurfacing project along MD 212 (Powder Mill Road) between I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Pleasant Acres Drive in Beltsville. Weather permitting, the project should be complete late summer 2014. 

Currently, crews are constructing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk ramps, and new concrete curb and gutter. This phase of work will continue through late fall.

Other work to be completed in 2014 includes:

• Installing a new countdown pedestrian signal (CPS) and upgrading signal heads with energy efficient light emitting diodes (LED) at High Point High School and at the intersection of  Cherry Hill Road;

 

• Installing 1,200 feet of guardrail within the project limits;

 

• Cleaning drainage inlets and pipes;

 

• Patching, grinding and resurfacing all lanes and;

 

• Applying new pavement markings.

“The driving surface on Powder Mill Road in this area is at or near its useful life cycle,” said Melinda B. Peters, SHA Administrator. “When complete, the new pavement , combined with new sidewalk and signal improvements, will enhance safety for both drivers and pedestrians including students, staff and visitors to High Point High School.”

SHA will close a single lane in both directions on MD 212, weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. During the resurfacing phase of the project next year, crews will also close a single lane in both directions of MD 212, overnight, Sunday through Thursday, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

On average, nearly 21,000 vehicles travel daily along MD 212 within the project limits so motorists should plan on extra drive time through the work zone. SHA’s contractor for the work is Ardent Company, LLC of McLean, Va. Residents and travelers are advised that equipment used for construction can be loud and disruptive.

This project was made possible with funding from the Transportation Infrastructur​e Investment Act of 2013, which maintains crucial system preservation investments and allows Maryland to activate long-term strategies to invest in Maryland’s transportation systems. By putting people back to work in the transportation industry with $4.4 billion in new investments in the next six years, Maryland is creating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and providing Marylanders with the transportation infrastructure necessary to grow and prosper for decades to come.

As crews work to keep work zones safe, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert – look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones. For Everyone!

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