Motorists Should Expect Off-Peak Lane Closures

(October 24, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will resurface MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) between I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Johnson Avenue in Bethesda starting later this month. The $1 million project will be complete late fall 2020.

In addition to milling and paving, crews will replace damaged and deteriorated curb and gutter and clean drainage inlets and pipes. Crews will also install concrete bus pads on MD 187 at Wyngate Drive and Beech Avenue. The project will first begin the project with concrete and storm water management work. Paving will commence next spring. As part of its comprehensive urban mobility-focused program to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrian and non-motorized users, MDOT SHA is evaluating traffic calming options as part of standard resurfacing projects along these routes. This paving project offers the flexibility to assess roadway characteristics such as lane widths and pavement markings to better balance Maryland’s transportation system with the access, mobility, and safety needs of communities.

“We are re-thinking the way roads are reconstructed in urban and suburban areas to meet the needs of the adjacent communities,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Gregory Slater. “There’s no one size fits all for safety, and we look forward to a community walk through along MD 187 later this fall to discuss both short- and long-term enhancements.”

Approximately 50,000 vehicles per day use this section of MD 187, so motorists are urged to add extra time for commuting. This section of MD 187 was last resurfaced in 2005.

Motorists can expect single lane closures Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Next year, when the project enters the milling and paving phase, night work will begin at 9 p.m. and continue through 5 a.m. the next morning. Weather permitting, concrete bus pad installations will take place on two weekends this fall.

MDOT SHA’s contractor for this project is F.O. Day Company of Rockville.  MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for all users along the transportation system, as well as our crews. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on driving and, look for reduced speed limits and urban environment activity levels, as well as other travel pattern changes. Drive like you work here and slowdown in construction zones so everyone can get home safely.

For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, click on Road Ready, MDOT SHA's electronic construction brochure. For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto md511.maryland.gov.