(August 5, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has begun a $1.9 million roadway safety improvement project on MD 190 (River Road) between Braeburn Parkway and Pyle Road in Bethesda, Montgomery County. The project, scheduled for completion in spring 2021, will improve traffic operations and safety for pedestrians and motorists within the one-third-mile segment of MD 190.
Improvements will include:
-
Construction of a new traffic signal on MD 190 at Braeburn Parkway;
- Installation of concrete channelized islands to prohibit through- and left-turn movements from Braeburn Parkway onto MD 190;
- Installation of pedestrian-activated, full-color traffic signals on eastbound and westbound MD 190 in the vicinity of Pyle Road;
- Relocation of the pedestrian crossing on westbound MD 190 closer to Walt Whitman High School;
- Construction of a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk connection to the existing sidewalk adjacent to the school’s athletic fields.
The new signal on MD 190 at Braeburn Parkway will include exclusive left-turn arrows from eastbound and westbound MD 190 onto Braeburn Parkway. The new signals on MD 190 at Pyle Road will remain green unless a pedestrian presses the button to cross, and include accessible pedestrian countdown equipment.
Crews are performing tree removal work within the project limits to clear the area for the subsequent safety improvements. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained, but certain phases may require temporary sidewalk closures which will direct pedestrians to the safest nearby crossing.
To perform all phases of work, crews will use temporary single-lane closures, weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and multiple-lane closures, overnight, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. Additional work times and lane closures may be necessary to complete all phases of work and keep the project on schedule. Civil Construction of Cheverly is performing the work.
MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on the road and, look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones.
For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to
Project Portal. Visit our homepage at
roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to
md511.maryland.gov.
Editor’s Note
MDOT SHA has a record number of highway construction projects underway across the state to reduce congestion and improve safety. From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders. MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.