(June 16, 2010) – Tomorrow, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA), working with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), will open two new access ramps to MD 355 (Rockville Pike).
On Thursday, June 17 at 9 a.m., work will begin to open the ramp from Montrose Parkway to northbound MD 355.
Additionally beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 18, crews will begin work to open the ramp from Hoya Street, (the former Old Georgetown Road) to southbound MD 355.
“Opening the new ramps moves SHA one step closer to the completion of this very important project,” stated Brian Young, SHA District Engineer for Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. “This interchange will help alleviate congestion experienced by more than 55,000 motorists on a daily basis. It will also improve access to local businesses.”
Once both ramps are open, the current access to MD 355 from Montrose Road, Montrose Parkway and Hoya Street will be closed.
To access northbound MD 355:
• Drivers traveling on Montrose Parkway will use the existing signal at the entrance to the new ramp to northbound MD 355.
• Drivers traveling on Hoya Street will turn right onto eastbound Montrose Parkway and turn left at the existing signal at the entrance to the new ramp.
• Drivers traveling on Montrose Road will turn right onto Hoya Street, turn left onto eastbound Montrose Parkway, and turn left at the existing signal at the entrance to the new ramp.
To access southbound MD 355:
• Drivers traveling westbound on Montrose Parkway will turn right at Hoya Street and continue to the new ramp.
• Drivers traveling eastbound on Montrose Parkway will turn left at Hoya Street and continue to the new ramp.
• Drivers on eastbound Montrose Road will turn left at Hoya Street and continue to the new ramp.
• Drivers on Hoya Street will continue straight to the new ramp.
In case of inclement weather, the ramp openings will be moved to the next day. SHA will use variable message signs and flaggers to guide motorists through the work zone during the traffic switch.
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 relocates 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.