Week Long Closure Is Necessary for Widening Project along MD 124 in Gaithersburg           
          
(April 21, 2009) – Next week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close Brenish Drive North at MD 124 for up to one week to prepare for the start of road work on MD 124 in Gaithersburg. The closure is part of the $57.3 million road widening project between Airpark Road and Rosewood Manor Lane in Gaithersburg.           
          
SHA will close Brenish Drive north at MD 124 following the morning rush hour on or about the week of April 27. Motorists and residents along Brenish Drive north will be directed to Brenish Drive south to MD 124, which should only present a brief delay during the temporary closure. SHA will temporarily close five other MD 124 cross streets later this summer and fall. These include Hadley Farms Drive South, Brenish Drive South, Rickenbacker Drive and Hadley Farms Drive North.          
          
The week long closures are necessary for SHA to safely expedite the widening project at the Brenish Road North intersection with MD 124. The detours will affect the surrounding communities and require local residents to detour through their neighborhoods. SHA will provide flaggers and VMS to direct motorists through the detours and work zones. Pedestrian access will be maintained where appropriate.          
          
Motorists should expect delays and plan for extra time during construction. The MD 124 widening project between Airpark Road and Rosewood Manor Lane began spring 2008 and is expected to be complete summer 2010, weather permitting.           
          
SHA reminds all drivers to Choose Safety for Life and buckle up, obey posted speed limits, think orange, and stay alert. Customers who have questions about traffic operations along MD 124 or other State numbered routes in Montgomery County may call SHA’s District 3 Office at 301-513-7300 or toll free at 1-800-749-0737.          
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