(July 1, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) today accomplished emergency work along southbound I-270 prior to I-370 in Gaithersburg, repairing a damaged pipe and significant soil erosion that prompted the closure of the highway’s two right lanes on June 15.
The repairs were completed in just over two weeks, allowing all travel lanes to be reopened today, July 1 – just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Although all travel lanes are open, the right shoulder will remain closed because additional work will be required off the main roadway after the holiday weekend.
(MDOT SHA photo: All travel lanes open on southbound I-270 in Gaithersburg. The shoulder remains closed for further repairs.)
“Most people weren’t aware of the enormity of the problem caused by this failed pipe and collapsed roadway,” said MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr. “I have the ultimate respect and praise for the entire SHA Team for its focus on working hard to return this heavily traveled commuter route back to its normal level of service and to ensure safe travel for the Montgomery County residents who depend on it every day.”
“We appreciate the extraordinary patience that drivers provided us during this emergency repair and are happy to have all travel lanes reopened,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith. “The reopening of the lanes before the busy Fourth of July holiday is a testament to the skill and determination of crews that performed extraordinary work to complete the repair.”
(MDOT SHA photo: The southbound I-270 pipe failure before repairs )
The drainage pipe failure was first indicated by a small surface hole on the roadway, but actually created a dangerous and unstable 20-foot by 15-foot by 12-foot cavern beneath the surface. The pipe failure presented a major challenge to MDOT SHA due to the significant erosion and loss of soil under the right travel lanes on southbound I-270.
MDOT SHA contractor Concrete General, of Gaithersburg, completed the emergency repair, which cost approximately $425,000.
Drivers can get regular updates on Twitter
@MDSHA and on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/MDOTSHA, and can also get the latest real-time travel conditions, including access to live traffic cameras, at
https://chart.maryland.gov.
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 driving and look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Please drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones.
For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to
Project Portal. For a look at real-time commute conditions, go to
md511.maryland.gov.