New Driving Surface, Sidewalks Among Improvements

(June 27, 2017) – Beginning after the July 4th holiday, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin work on a safety and resurfacing project on MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road) in Wheaton, Montgomery County.  Weather and progress permitting, the $3.5 million project should be complete by the end of the year.

The project encompasses two work zones on MD 586, one between the bridge over Rock Creek and Ferrara Avenue, the other is between MD 193 (University Boulevard) and MD 97 (Georgia Avenue), a total distance of 2.5 miles.

In addition to resurfacing, crews will also:

• Install new concrete bus pads (pavement directly in front of a bus stop);

• Replace damaged concrete curb and gutter and sidewalk;

• Construct pedestrian sidewalk ramps and driveways for American with Disability Act (ADA) compliance;

• Remove and replace existing guardrails;

• Clean existing drainage pipes and inlets for improved roadway drainage;

• Stabilize the roadway slope to prevent soil erosion; and

• Install new pavement markings once all resurfacing is complete.

MDOT SHA’s contractor, F.O. Day, Inc. of Rockville, is permitted to close one lane in each direction Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and two lanes Sundays through Thursdays between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.  Off-peak weekend lane closures are also permitted.  Crews will use electronic signage, flagging crews, orange construction barrels and cones to guide motorists through the work zone.

Equipment used for construction may be disruptive. MDOT SHA’s contractor for the work is Francis O. Day. Co., Inc. of Rockville. More than 25,000 vehicles use this section of MD 586 daily so motorists should plan extra travel time.  Pedestrian traffic will be maintained at all times however; during sidewalk work, pedestrians will be directed to the safest crossings, including ones on the opposite side of the street.

Those with questions regarding this MD 586 project can contact Mr. David Coleman, SHA MDOT District 3 Project Engineer, at 240-385-2692 or Mr. John Gover, MDOT SHA District 3 Area Engineer, at 301-513-7336.

The e-Road Ready 2017 electronic construction brochure is now available by clicking here.  The e-brochure highlights major road construction and maintenance projects in each of Maryland’s 23 counties.

While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver need to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands.

Maryland drivers can also Know Before They Go! by calling 511 or visiting www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and lane closures.