CLOSURE NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT BRIDGE ALONG BRIGGS CHANEY ROAD OVER THE ICC          
          
(August 8, 2008) -- On or about Monday, August 11, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will permanently close a section of Dogwood Drive at Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring. The closure is part of the $2.4 billion Intercounty Connector (ICC) project, scheduled to open in 2011, that will link I-370/I-270 in Montgomery County with I-95 and US 1 in Prince George’s County.           
          
With construction of the ICC segment between Old Columbia Pike and I-95 (Contract C) underway, it is necessary to close Dogwood Drive at Briggs Chaney Road to construct a new bridge over the ICC at Briggs Chaney Road. The permanent closure of Dogwood Drive at Briggs Chaney Road is consistent with the 2006 Record of Decision for the ICC. Through temporary signage, motorists and residents who currently use Dogwood Drive will be detoured to Gateshead Manor Way and then Aston Manor Drive to access Briggs Chaney Road.           
          
Residents in the area have been made aware of the closure over the past several weeks through outreach efforts including road signage, fliers, phone calls and personal visits.           
          
For more information about the project, citizens may call the ICC Community Outreach staff at 1-866-462-0020, or visit the ICC website at www.iccproject.com . SHA encourages all motorists to Choose Safety for Life and “Think Orange” while driving through work zones by driving the speed limit and remaining alert at all times. More information about the Choose Safety For Life Campaign may be found at www.choosesafetyforlife.com .