(June 21, 2013) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) recently began resurfacing as part of the final phase of a $4 million intersection improvement project on MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue) between I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Manor Road in Montgomery County, which began last spring. Weather permitting, the work should be complete late August. The project will improve the capacity, safety and traffic flow along MD 185 in the vicinity of the Walter Reed Naval Medical Center.

SHA will remove the top layer of pavement, patch and resurface all lanes, and re-stripe the roadway with new lane markings. On average, 67,000 vehicles travel along this section of Connecticut Avenue daily.

“The improvements along the MD 185 corridor will help relieve the expected traffic flow associated with an increase in patients, visitors and staff at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda,” said Melinda B. Peters, SHA Administrator. “We appreciate motorists’ patience as we work to complete the project this summer.”    

During resurfacing, crews may close up to two lanes on MD 185 overnight, Sunday through Saturday, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. and one lane, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents and travelers are advised that equipment used for construction can be loud and disruptive. SHA asks for your patience as crews work to complete the project. SHA will maintain access for pedestrians and residents during the road work. 

Crews will also complete concrete bus pad and driveway work this summer. To date, crews completed road widening, sidewalk, sidewalk ramp, curb and gutter, roadway median, utility relocation, storm water management and landscaping work. Once complete, the upgraded intersection will have additional turn lanes to improve traffic operations, including: a new southbound MD 185 right-turn only lane from the I-495 exit ramp to Jones Bridge Road; an additional travel lane on northbound MD 185 between Manor Road and the entry ramp to I-495 East and an exclusive right-turn lane from northbound MD 185 to I-495 eastbound.

 

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