Traffic on Westbound Shady Grove Road to Now Turn Left onto I-370; Motorists Asked to Seek Alternate Routes Including MD 355

(March 19, 2010)  As part of the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) $2.5 billion Intercounty Connector (ICC), a new traffic pattern is starting that will affect motorists using the Shady Grove Road / I-370 interchange in western Montgomery County.  The traffic switch allows crews to continue bridge construction within the I-370/Shady Grove Road interchange.

Beginning Saturday afternoon March 27, motorists traveling on westbound Shady Grove Road to access westbound I-370 will now make a LEFT TURN at a new traffic signal.  Currently, motorists on southbound Shady Grove Road access westbound I-370 from the right. 

Motorists turning left from westbound Shady Grove will merge with the eastbound Shady Grove Road motorists accessing I-370 on a new ramp.  Variable message signs are in place to alert motorists to the new traffic pattern.  Weather permitting, lane closures on both Shady Grove Road and I-370 will begin Saturday morning at approximately 8 a.m. and continue through the afternoon until the new traffic pattern is in place.

As an alternate route for motorists on west/southbound Shady Grove Road currently using I-370 to get to I-270, motorists may continue on Shady Grove Road beyond I-370 and turn right onto MD 355 (Frederick Road).  

Additionally, motorists destined for I-270 South traveling from points north (including Damascus, Germantown, and Gaithersburg) should consider using MD 118 (Germantown Road), Middlebrook Road or MD 124 (Montgomery Village Avenue/Quince Orchard Road) to access I-270 and avoid Shady Grove Road in the area of I-370.

This work is part of the Contract “A” section of the ICC from I-370 to east of MD 97 (Georgia Avenue).  SHA will open Contract A late 2010, with the remaining ICC sections opening late 2011/early 2012.

As of March 1, Contract A is 67 percent complete. SHA awarded the $475 million Contract A to Intercounty Constructors, a Joint Venture consisting of Granite Construction of Watsonville, CA, Corman Construction of Annapolis Junction, MD and G.A & F.C. Wagman of York, PA.  
  

Concrete barriers, temporary crash cushions, barrels, temporary traffic signs and variable message boards will alert and guide motorists through the work zone.  SHA reminds motorists to “Think Orange” as they drive through the work zone, reduce speeds and be attentive.  Choose to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com.

For more information about the project, citizens may call the ICC Community Outreach staff at 1-866-462-0020, or visit the ICC project web site at www.iccproject.com.

# # #