(December 7, 2018) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is beginning to replace the I-95/ I-495 (Capital Beltway) Bridges over Suitland Parkway. Preliminary work has begun on the $34.3 million project, which is scheduled to be complete summer 2021.

“Our administration is committed to delivering transportation solutions to Marylanders all across our state, which includes making long-overdue upgrades to our bridges,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “These bridge projects will help provide a safe, reliable and efficient transportation network for all who live in and travel through Prince George’s County.” 

In addition to replacing the bridges, crews will raise the profile of I-95/I-495 by one-foot to provide additional clearance for Suitland Parkway, as well as upgrade lighting and drainage improvements.

Initial work on this project will consist of restriping the roadway to shift traffic to the inside shoulder and placing temporary concrete barrier. Crews are permitted to close a single lane on northbound I-95/I-495 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and a single lane on southbound I-95 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Double and triple lane closures are permitted Sunday nights through Friday mornings between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The bridges were originally constructed in 1963 and are safe for travel but have outlived their useful service lives. MDOT SHA’s contractor, Milani Construction LLC. of Washington, DC, use concrete barrier, variable message boards, cones and barrels to guide motorists through the construction zone. Nearly 197,000 vehicles per day use this section of I-95/I-495, so motorists are urged to pay close attention and add extra travel time.

There are two nearby bridge projects. MDOT SHA is well underway on replacing the two bridges on I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway) Bridge over Suitland Road. This project should be complete summer 2019. Further south, MDOT SHA is rehabilitating the Temple H​ill Road Bridge over I-95/I-495 and should be complete fall 2019. 

While MDOT SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands. For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, click on Road Ready, MDOT SHA's electronic construction brochure. For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto md511.maryland.gov.

 

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