(June 22, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) continues to make progress on a two mile, $3.7 million safety and resurfacing project on MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue) between I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Dupont Avenue in Kensington, Montgomery County.

Currently, crews are patching in advance of grinding, paving and pavement marking work that will occur later this summer. Crews are permitted to close up to two traffic lanes on MD 185:

• Northbound—6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and overnight, Sunday through Thursday, 10 p.m.until 5 a.m.

• Southbound—10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and overnight, Sunday through Thursday, 10 p.m. until 5 a.m.

Work began on the project last year. Weather permitting, the entire project should be complete by late fall. To date, crews have completed portions of roadway drainage, I-495 ramp resurfacing, guardrail replacement, fence upgrade and traffic signal upgrade work within the project limits. Drivers should be aware of changing traffic patterns along MD 185 through the end of the project. Residents and travelers are advised that equipment used for construction can be loud and disruptive. Once crews finish resurfacing work, they will complete all unfinished portions of the project by late fall including median landscaping and inlet cleaning.

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.