(July 26, 2013) – Work is underway for a major safety and resurfacing project along I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway) that benefits nearly 210,000 commuters in the greater Washington, D.C. region.  Crews will resurface all lanes on northbound and southbound I-95/I-495 from D’Arcy Road (north of MD 4) to Arena Drive in Prince George’s County. SHA expects to complete the project by late fall 2013, weather permitting.

 

The $12 million project includes significant safety improvements within the 3.5-mile project limits. The improvements include eight miles of new guardrail, slope stabilization to help prevent standing water, debris and erosion on the outer loop of I-95/I-495 and the installation of rumble strips and new pavement markings.

 

During the guardrail installation, SHA will close one lane on either the inner or outer loop of the Capital Beltway starting Friday night at 9 p.m. through Monday at 5 a.m.  Weekend work will take place through early fall with no weekend work permitted during Redskins home games. This weekend, guardrail work will take place on the Outer Loop between Central Avenue and Arena Drive. 

 

“At this time of year, SHA has hundreds of active work zones across the State,” stated SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters.  “For the safety of workers and travelers, please drive at the appropriate speed and remain alert for construction equipment entering and exiting the roadway.”

 

Paving of the travel lanes will also require crews to also close one lane on the inner and/or outer loops of I-95/I-495, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and two lanes, overnight, Sunday through Thursday, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.  Paving lane closures will be coordinated with any guardrail lane closures. 

 

More than one dozen ramps along the project route will also be resurfaced including Beltway interchanges at Ritchie Marlboro Road, Arena Drive, MD 202 (Landover Road) and MD 214 (Central Avenue).  To complete Beltway interchange ramp resurfacing, SHA will reroute traffic and temporarily close individual ramps overnight, Sunday through Thursday, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. SHA will publicize each ramp closure and detour route in advance using portable and overhead message signs.  SHA’s contractor for the work is Francis O. Day, Inc. of Rockville.

 

This project was made possible with funding from the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, which maintains crucial system preservation investments and allows Maryland to activate long-term strategies to invest in Maryland’s transportation systems. By putting people back to work in the transportation industry with $4.4 billion in new investments in the next six years, Maryland is creating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and providing Marylanders with the transportation infrastructure necessary to grow and prosper for decades to come.

 

SHA reminds motorists to “think orange” and remain alert when driving through the work zone.  Customers with questions about this project may contact the SHA District 3 Office at 301-513-7300 or via e-mail at shadistrict3@sha.state.md.us

 

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