(August 28, 2015) – Next week, the Maryland State Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will start a $24 million safety and enhancement project on MD 4 (Pennsylvania Avenue) between Forestville Road and MD 458 (Sil​ver Hill Road). The 2.2-mile project will provide safe pedestrian access in the Forestville and District Heights communities. Weather permitting; the project will be complete summer 2017.

The first phase of construction is patching the road surface to improve pavement conditions. Roadway patching involves excavating and filling in sections of roadway with concrete and asphalt to repair potholes, cracking, and other pavement distresses. Crews may use steel plates to temporarily cover areas where asphalt and concrete have been placed, and remove them once the patching work is complete. Roadway patching involves excavating and filling in sections of road to prepare for major construction in spring 2016. 

SHA’s contractor is permitted to temporarily close one lane in each direction of MD 4 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Weather permitting, this initial phase of work should be complete by late fall 2015.

In 2011, SHA began developing concepts to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility on MD 4.  Crews activated a mid-block pedestrian traffic signal on MD 4 between Walters Lane and Donnell Drive in 2013; this signal will remain active during all phases of construction. 

The larger project includes design and construction elements to enhance safety. They include constructing new sidewalk along southbound MD 4; constructing a shared-use path along northbound MD 4; removing pavement on the outside northbound and southbound lanes of MD 4; reconstructing traffic signals by adding accessible and audible pedestrian activations for pedestrians; installing new roadway lighting to increase pedestrian visibility; resurfacing all traffic lanes and applying new pavement markings; and installing a new roadway drainage system within the project limits. SHA also reduced the posted traffic speed from 55 mph to 45 mph.

Those who have questions about the MD 4 Forestville project may call the MD 4 Project directly at 1-844-701-4636. The SHA District 3 Office may be contacted at 301-513-7300, toll-free at 1-800-749-0737 or by e-mail at shadistrict3@sha.state.md.us.