(June 24, 2015) –The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) has begun work on a $4.6 million safety and resurfacing project along more than five miles of I-370 (Sam Eig Highway) between I-270 and MD 355 (South Frederick Road) in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County. The project also includes resurfacing of the I-270/I-370 and I-370/MD 355 ramps. Weather permitting, the project should be complete by late fall.

The work consists of repairing and replacing sidewalks and sidewalk ramps for Americans With Disability Act (ADA) compliance along Pleasant Road and Shady Grove Road, upgrading traffic signals at the end of the ramp from I-370 to Pleasant Road and I-370 to MD 355 with new mast arms, signal heads and LEDs. Additional work includes replacing traffic barrier and end treatments, concrete patching, grinding and resurfacing, adding new pavement markings and cleaning existing inlets and pipes to prevent standing water on the roadway. Currently, crews are patching sections of I-370 in advance of resurfacing later this summer.

Crews are permitted to temporarily close one traffic lane in both directions of I-370 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Double-lane closures are permitted overnight, Sunday through Thursday between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. During the current roadway patching operation, two lane closures are also permitted from Friday night at 9 p.m. through Monday morning at 5 a.m.

More than 90,000 vehicles use this section of I-370 daily. SHA’s contractor for the work is Allan Myers MD, Inc. of Columbia. SHA asks for your patience during construction. Residents and travelers are advised that equipment used for construction can be loud and disruptive.

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.