State to repave stretch of Capital Beltway
Baltimore drivers heading to or through the Tysons Corner-Fairfax areas of Northern Virginia outside peak hours are likely to encounter lane closings on the Capital Beltway starting next week.
The State Highway Administration said it will begin resurfacing work on the 4-mile stretch of Interstate 495 between Interstate 270 and the American Legion Bridge. The $7.4 million project, which the agency said is being financed with federal stimulus funds, is expected to be completed next summer.
The roadwork wil bring with it single lane closures on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Double and triple lane closings are possible between 10 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The full SHA news release follows:
STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TO RESURFACE I-495 (CAPITAL BELTWAY) BETWEEN THE AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE AND I-270 IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Four-Mile Resurfacing Project Made Possible Through Stimulus FundingJuly 31, 2009) – Next week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a $7.4 million safety and resurfacing project along nearly four miles of I-495 between the American Legion Bridge and I-270 in Montgomery County. Weather permitting, the project should be complete summer 2010.
The project includes milling the existing pavement and resurfacing all six lanes of I-495 between the American Legion Bridge and I-270. Other work includes resurfacing the ramps at the MD 190 (River Road) and Clara Barton Parkway interchanges, drainage improvements, pavement markings, curb and gutter replacement, and repair and replacement of the concrete median barrier along I-495. Mainline work will be completed first, followed later this year or early next year with the interchange ramps at River Road and Clara Barton Parkway.
The 3.7-mile section of the Capital Beltway carries approximately 226,000 motorists per day. This project will resurface the six-to-eight lane roadway in both directions, along with resurfacing the MD 190 (River Road) and Clara Barton Parkway interchange ramps from both the Inner and Outer loops. This section of I-495 was last resurfaced in 1991.
During construction, motorists can expect single lane and shoulder closures along I-495 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and overnight Sunday through Thursday evenings between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. There will also be double and triple lane (in some sections) closures possible overnight Sunday through Thursday between 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., as well as overnight Friday and Saturday between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Motorists should also expect closures on the ramps to and from MD 190 (River Road) and the Clara Barton Parkway overnight Sunday through Thursday between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Detours will be posted when ramps are closed.
SHA awarded the contract to F.O. Day Co., Inc. When workers are on the road, THINK ORANGE, which is the color of construction signs, barrels and warning devices. Please slow down, stay alert and expect the unexpected. Choose safety for life and to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com
Anyone with questions about traffic operations on I-495, MD 190 or other State numbered routes in Montgomery County may call SHA’s District 3 Office at 301-513-7300 or toll free at 1-800-749-0737.
This project is made possible through Governor Martin O’Malley’s aggressive management of the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, bringing critically needed transportation investments to Maryland. Projects such as these are stimulating Maryland’s economy by supporting hundreds of jobs. Follow the delivery of these projects at www.recovery.maryland.gov, which tracks every category of ARRA spending and provides contract-level details to the public in an effort to achieve new levels of government transparency and efficiency.
Comments
Will this actually be finished? This project has been in a stand still with little to no progress. I drive on 495 everyday and I have no idea why they stopped working on this partially completed. How long does it take? A day per lane to remove existing pavement. Plus, two days per lane to repave? If so, they should be done by now. Not half-way done, which is causing significant traffic due to drivers dramatically slowing down near the "bump" signs.
Posted by: Ray | September 16, 2009 9:12 AM