(March 18, 2011) – Motorists traveling on MD 97/Georgia Avenue in Montgomery County, near MD 28/Norbeck Road and the interchange with MD 200/Intercounty Connector, should be aware that crews will be working this Saturday night into Sunday morning to improve traffic flow in that area.  Crews will be making adjustments to the MD 97/MD 28 intersection to get the lanes and traffic signals in their final, ultimate condition (see attached graphic).

This work is being phased over two weekends, with work on MD 97 scheduled for this weekend and work on the MD 28 approaches set for next weekend.  ICC crews will be making adjustments to signal locations, restriping the area, and adjusting traffic signal timing.  The signal work requires coordination and assistance from Montgomery County crews, as well. Maryland State Police will also be on-site to assist with traffic flow in the late night hours.

All of this signal and lane reconfiguration work at MD 97 and MD 28 is necessary as a result of last month’s opening of the first segment of SHA’s $2.55 billion ICC project.

“The current configuration for this intersection was an interim measure to ensure that we provided three lanes northbound to the ICC,” said ICC Project Director Melinda Peters. “This area is still under construction and was part of our phased-in maintenance of traffic for the area. 

“The configuration that we are shifting to over the next two weekends reestablishes the right turn lane from northbound MD 97 to MD 28, as well as the right turn area for traffic from MD 28 to northbound MD 97, both of which are ultimately necessary in this area,” Ms. Peters added.  “The left turn lane configuration has been analyzed based on projected traffic volumes in this area. We believe that this is the best ultimate configuration, based on our analysis.”

Portable signs have been in place since this past Monday to inform motorists and local residents of the work scheduled for this weekend.  Additionally, information was posted on the ICC project web site, included in SHA Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) messages, and shared pro-actively with homeowners’ associations and community groups.

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

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