(April 10, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) State Highway Administration (SHA) is advising motorists who travel on I-495 (Capital Beltway) near MD 193 (University Boulevard) of multiple lane closures that will affect overnight travel next week.

Beginning Sunday night (weather permitting), SHA will close one lane of I-495 starting at 8 p.m., two lanes at 10 p.m. and three lanes at midnight. The lane closures will alternate nightly, Sunday through Thursday, between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. on both loops of the Capital Beltway between exit 29 (MD 193) and exit 30 (US 29/Colesville Road).

Crews will remove demolition shields from the eastern half of the bridge and relocate them on the western half of the bridge. All traffic lanes will reopen no later than 5 a.m. the next day. The work is part of a $9.6 million bridge project to replace the University Boulevard Bridge over I-495. Weather permitting, the work should be complete late April. 

In addition to this project, drivers may also encounter mobile or short-term work zones.  Click here for a listing of major SHA projects in Maryland.  Always expect the unexpected, pay extra close attention and drive slowly through any work zone. Whether it’s a tree trimming operation or a bridge project, be aware when orange is there: Think Orange (the color of construction equipment and signs), stay alert and slow down. Everyone is at risk.

In four out of five work zone-related crashes, it is the driver or passenger who is injured or killed. In 2014, nine people lost their lives in Maryland work zone crashes, including four highway workers. While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to keep traffic safely moving in work zones, please partner with us because work zone safety is everyone’s business – slow down and stay alert. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.