(July 20, 2012) –The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is temporarily closing lanes along north and southbound MD 355 (Rockville Pike) between Jones Bridge Road and North Drive in Bethesda this weekend for median reconstruction.

Weather permitting; crews will close the left lane in each direction of Rockville Pike tomorrow, Saturday, July 21, at 7 a.m. Crews will also intermittently close the middle lane in each direction of MD 355 throughout the weekend to position construction equipment to be used for the work.  All lanes will be open to traffic no later than 5 a.m. on Monday, July 23.

SHA will cut, excavate, install base stone and apply multiple applications of asphalt to the road surface along MD 355 on Saturday and Sunday. The median reconstruction will extend the left turn lane movement on southbound MD 355 for eastbound Jones Bridge Road to improve traffic flow.  This work is part of major intersection improvements related to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) projects in Bethesda.

Crews will be in the quarter mile work zone at various times throughout the weekend performing different phases of the repair. Although crews may not be present, active working lanes will be closed until declared safe for travel. SHA will use construction barrels and arrow boards to guide motorists through the work zone. Approximately 49,000 vehicles use Rockville Pike near Jones Bridge each day, so motorists should plan for extra commute time and use alternate routes such as Connecticut Avenue to avoid construction delays.

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.

Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information! Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org for current travel information. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the Web site. Remember to use 511 safely - Maryland law prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

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