Traffic Switch Planned for November 20 and 21; Motorists to be Shifted from Montrose Road

(November 13, 2009) – Next weekend, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA), working with the Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) will open eastbound Montrose Parkway between East Jefferson Street and existing Randolph Road. 

The new traffic pattern is part of the final phase of the MD 355 and Montrose Parkway /Randolph Road project in Montgomery County.  Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20:

• Drivers traveling on eastbound Montrose Road wishing to access Randolph Road will be required to turn right on MD 187 and then an immediate left onto the new eastbound   Montrose Parkway.  They will no longer be allowed to cross over MD 355 to access Randolph Road.
• Drivers on eastbound Montrose Road wishing to continue north or south on MD 355 will be required to turn left or right at MD 355.
• Traffic coming from I-270 and to eastbound Montrose Parkway will now be allowed to continue straight through to Randolph Road.
• Drivers on northbound MD 355 wishing to turn right onto Randolph Road will be shifted to the newly constructed exit ramp to Randolph Road.   

SHA will partner with police and use variable message signs, barrels and cones to guide motorists through the work zone during the traffic shift.  The switch will begin at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20 through noon, Saturday, Nov. 21.  If the switch is delayed past Saturday night or Sunday night, Nov. 22 due to inclement weather, it will be rescheduled to Dec. 4. 

The interchange project is expected to be complete by late-fall 2010, weather permitting.  SHA’s contractor for the $47.2 million project is Concrete General, Inc. of Gaithersburg. The project is relocating existing Randolph Road slightly south to align with the recently completed Montrose Parkway and the construction of the new interchange along 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.

# # #