Lane Shifts on MD 201 and I-95/I-495 May Cause Delays; Project Made Possible Through ARRA Funds

(March 22, 2010) – Next week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) begins a $5 million bridge rehabilitation project on the MD 201 (Kenilworth Avenue) bridges over I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway) in Greenbelt, Prince George’s County.  Weather permitting, construction will be complete summer 2011.

The rehabilitation project includes widening and replacing the existing bridge deck (driving surface) on both sides of MD 201.  Other improvements include reconstructing a half-mile of the approaching roadway on MD 201, repairing, cleaning and painting the existing structural steel and median landscaping. The existing structure was built in 1963 and carries an average of 35,000 vehicles per day. 

SHA will have two phases of construction with traffic pattern changes during the project, including temporary lane shifts and temporary lane and shoulder closures on both sides of MD 201 and I-95/I-495.  Traffic will be maintained in two through lanes on both sides of MD 201 by utilizing an existing lane and one shoulder.  In addition, there may be single-lane closures along both directions of MD 201 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and overnight closures Sunday through Thursday between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.  

Shoulder closures are expected on both sides of I-95/I-495, 24 hours a day for the duration of the project with possible single lane closures Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Drivers may also encounter single-lane closures on both sides of I-95/I-495 overnights Sunday through Thursday between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., double lane closures overnights Sunday through Thursday between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and possible triple lane closures overnights Sunday through Thursday between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

This project is made possible through Governor Martin O’Malley’s aggressive management of the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, bringing critically needed transportation investments to Maryland.  Projects such as these are stimulating Maryland’s economy by supporting hundreds of jobs.  Follow the delivery of these projects at www.recovery.maryland.gov, which tracks every category of ARRA spending and provides contract-level details to the public in an effort to achieve new levels of government transparency and efficiency.
 

SHA awarded the contract to Pessoa Construction Co., Inc.  SHA will provide variable message signs, jersey barrier wall, drums, and arrow boards to guide motorists through the work zone.  When workers are on the road, THINK ORANGE, which is the color of construction signs, barrels and warning devices.  Please slow down, stay alert and expect the unexpected.  Choose to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com

Citizens who have questions about traffic operations on MD 201, I-95/I-495, or other state-numbered routes in Prince George’s County may call SHA’s District 3 Office at 301-513-7300 or toll free at 1-800-749-0737.  Citizens can also subscribe to the District 3 RSS feed at http://www.marylandroads.com/pages/districts.aspx?did=d3