Traffic Switches Will Occur in Two Phases Over the Next Two Weekends
(September 9, 2009) – This weekend, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will shift traffic from the southbound MD 355 (Rockville Pike) temporary detour road onto the new MD 355 Bridge over Randolph Road/Montrose Road. The traffic switch represents the beginning of the final phase of the MD 355/Montrose Parkway /Randolph Road project in Rockville.
Weather permitting, on or about Friday, September 11 into Saturday, September 12, crews will shift southbound MD 355 traffic back onto the original MD 355 alignment and onto the new MD 355 Bridge over Randolph Road. Crews will shift northbound traffic on or about Friday, September 18 into Saturday, September 19. During the week of the traffic shift, motorists who travel along East Jefferson Street will be detoured to Executive Boulevard and back to northbound MD 355.
SHA will use variable message signs, barrels and cones to guide motorists through the work zone. The southbound MD 355 traffic switch will require crews to work between 8 p.m. Friday, September 11 through 5 p.m. Saturday, September 12. The northbound MD 355 traffic switch will require crews to work between 8 p.m. Friday, September 18 through 5 p.m. Saturday, September 19. For both traffic shifts, SHA will remove barrier wall, grind asphalt and remove and install pavement markings.
In case of inclement weather, the rain date for the September 11 switch will be 8 p.m. Saturday, September 12 through 5 p.m. Sunday, September 13, or 9 a.m. Sunday, September 13 through 5 a.m. Monday, September 14. The rain date for the September 18 northbound MD 355 traffic switch will be 8 p.m. Saturday, September 19 through 5 p.m. Sunday, September 20, or 9 a.m. Sunday, September 20 through 5 a.m. Monday, September 21. To avoid delays during the traffic switch, motorists may use I-270. The interchange project is expected to be complete by late-fall 2010, weather permitting. SHA’s contractor for the project is Concrete General, Inc. of Gaithersburg.
The $47.2 million interchange project will relocate existing Randolph Road slightly south to align with the recently completed Montrose Parkway and the construction of the new interchange on Rockville Pike at Montrose Parkway. Upon completion, the newly constructed Rockville Pike will have six lanes, and the new relocated Montrose/Randolph Road will carry two lanes in each direction. The construction is necessary to improve safety and traffic flow at the busy Rockville intersection.
Customers who have questions about MD 355 or any other State numbered roadway in Montgomery County should call SHA’s District 3 office at 1-800-749-0737. SHA encourages all motorists to drive responsibly and “Think Orange” while driving through work zones by driving the speed limit and remaining alert at all times.
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