(May 6, 2019) – Beginning this week, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin switching traffic on I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway) at the MD 214 (Central Avenue) bridge replacement project in Prince George’s County. Crews will shift traffic toward the right side of the highway to enable crews to begin demolition near the median. The actual traffic shift will take place over the next week and remain in place until fall.

Motorists can expect single, double and triple lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday nights through Friday mornings. Multiple lane closures will not occur before 10 p.m. each night. Crews will begin in the southbound direction, then will shift the northbound traffic.

The traffic shift is an essential part of the $26 million project to replace the dual bridges at the I-95/I-495/MD 214 interchange. There are currently two long-term ramp closures at this location. In January, crews closed and detoured the southbound I-95 (inner loop of I-495) ramp to eastbound MD 214 and the ramp from eastbound MD 214 to northbound I-95 (outer loop of I-495). The ramp closure and detours will be in effect until spring 2021. For more information about the project, follow the project on MDOT SHA’s MD 214 Facebook page.

In Frederick County on Wednesday, May 8 at 10 p.m., MDOT SHA will shift the travel lanes on southbound I-270 at the MD 85 (Buckeystown Pike) interchange to the newly constructed bridge. The shift will be complete with all lanes open by 5 a.m. on Thursday, May 9. Motorists are encouraged to use MD 355 (Urbana Pike) as an overnight alternate route during the traffic shift.

Once complete, MDOT SHA’s contractor will begin demolition of the old bridges. The new I-270 Bridge over MD 85 replaces dual bridges with one, wider structure that will have improved acceleration and deceleration to enhance safety, reduce congestion and provide better access to MD 85. MDOT SHA will also re-open the southbound I-270 ramp to northbound MD 85 (Exit 31A) ahead of schedule as part of the traffic shift. 

MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our contractor. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on the road and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Drive like you work here and slowdown in construction zones.

For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto https://chart.maryland.gov/​.

 

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