(April 21, 2010) – Weather permitting, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close the park and ride on Benfield Boulevard near I-97 during the weekend of May 7.  Beginning Friday night, May 7 at 8 p.m., the park and ride will close to all vehicles.  SHA will open the park and ride to commuters by 5 a.m. Monday, May 10.  In the event of inclement weather, the closure will occur the weekend of May 21.

The closure allows SHA and representatives from the concrete industry to test and evaluate new technologies in the application of concrete overlays on roads and highways.  The paving material is designed to be “road ready” (open to traffic) within six to eight hours of placement.  Technicians will also evaluate methods of maintaining traffic during construction.  The information ascertained by simulating actual highway conditions, curing time for concrete mixes and maintaining traffic during construction may be applied to future highway concrete overlay projects.  SHA will provide notification through fliers and variable message signs in advance of the temporary closure.

SHA is reviewing concrete overlays as a viable option considering long term costs associated with roadway maintenance and maintenance of traffic.  The concrete overlay is a testing and evaluation project to determine new concrete mixes and maintenance of traffic operations.  The concrete industry is sponsoring the pilot.

Vehicles will not be permitted to park overnight in the park-and-ride lot Friday through 5 a.m. Monday, May 7 -10th.  Motorists should log on www.roads.maryland.gov and click the “Commuter and Travel” tab for a list of park and ride locations in the region.  SHA constructed the 82-space park and ride lot in 1991 as part of the construction of I-97. 

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