Construction Continues for a New County Pedestrian Bridge This Weekend

(November 10, 2009)  This weekend, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will close one lane in each direction on MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road) at Aspen Hill Road in Rockville, Montgomery County.  The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration gave permission to M-NCPPC for the lane closures.  MD 586 will have one lane closed in each direction beginning 8 p.m. Friday, November 13 through Monday, November 16 at 5 a.m., weather permitting.

The closures are necessary to ensure worker and motorist safety as four 37-ton, curved steel beams are erected and bolted together directly over the travel lanes of MD 586.  In addition, two cranes needed to lift the beams will be on the MD 586 travel lanes, necessitating the single lane closures. (In case of inclement weather, the work will take place the following weekend, 8 p.m. Friday, November 20 through 5 a.m. Monday, November 23.)

This project will provide a new 605 foot-long pedestrian bridge crossing for the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail over Veirs Mill Road, removing the need for an existing on-road segment of the trail. This project also provides the local residents of the Aspen Hill community a safe crossing to access bus transit or other destinations.

There will be electronic signs alerting motorists to the change in traffic patterns.  For information on this project contact the Montgomery County Construction Manager Kris Krishnamurthy at 301-495-2593 or visit the M-CNPPC website http://www.montgomeryparks.org/pdd/projects/rockcreek_bridge/RockCreekPedsBridge.shtm

Those who have questions about MD 586 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 Choose Safety for Life.

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