(August 19, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $765,000 improvement project at the MD 119 (Great Seneca Highway) and Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive intersection in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County. Weather permitting; the work should be complete by the end of the year.

The project will improve safety and reduce congestion with longer turn lanes along westbound Orchard Ridge Drive, improve left turn traffic movements from MD 119 onto Orchard Ridge Drive and enhance pedestrian safety across MD 119.

Other work in the .6 mile corridor includes:

• Extending the left turn lane on westbound Orchard Ridge Drive by 350 feet to allow more vehicles to line up for the turn and not block mainline lanes;

 

• Modifying the median on Orchard Ridge Drive to improve turning movements from southbound MD 119 onto Orchard Ridge Drive;

 

• Modifying the median and realigning the crosswalk on the northern leg of MD 119 to improve pedestrian visibility for drivers making right turns from Orchard Ridge Drive onto northbound MD 119;

 

• Constructing sidewalk ramps, curb and gutter median cut-throughs, and detectable warning surfaces for Americans With Disabilities (ADA) compliance; and

 

• Resurfacing all traffic lanes and applying new pavement markings.

To expedite all phases of work, crews may temporarily close one lane in either direction of MD 119. Motorists should prepare for the following lane closures:

 

• Weekdays, single lane closures on northbound MD 119 between 6 a.m. and noon and southbound MD 119 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.;

 

• Overnight, Sundays through Thursdays, lane closures possible between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.;

 

• Single lane closures weekends on northbound MD 119 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and southbound MD 119 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Pedestrian traffic will be maintained at all times during construction. Signs will direct pedestrians to safe crossings within the project limits. SHA may use electronic message boards, construction cones, barrels, arrow boards and a flagging operation to direct motorists through the work zone. SHA’s contractor for the work is M. Luis Construction Company of Baltimore. More than 39,000 motorists use this section of MD 119 daily.