CONGESTION RELIEF COMING FOR MOTORISTS TRAVELING ON MD 197 IN LAUREL, PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

MDOT SHA Logo

MDOT SHA Logo

(August 13, 2013) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is making major improvements to keep more than 18,000 motorists traveling on MD 197 (Laurel Bowie Road) moving between MD 295 (Baltimore Washington Parkway) and Brock Bridge Road. SHA is converting the existing right auxiliary lane that ends at Muirkirk Road into a right through lane that will extend north to the MD 197/Brock Bridge Road intersection.  

The $2.2 million improvement will significantly improve traffic operations and safety through this busy Laurel roadway.  Weather permitting; the project should be complete fall 2015.

“The goal of this road reconstruction project is to improve the flow of traffic in this heavily traveled corridor in Prince George’s County,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “We ask that motorists who travel on Laurel Bowie Road slow down and help keep crews inside the work zone safe.” 
 
As part of the work, SHA will also:

• Mill, patch, resurface and restripe MD 197;
 
• Replace and upgrade guardrail;
 
• Replace aging concrete curb and gutter;
 
• Replace existing sidewalk with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk;
 
• Perform drainage improvements to help improve roadway drainage and;
 
• Modify traffic signals to comply with the new lane configuration.

Single lane closures are likely along MD 197, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Work will also occur with up to two lanes blocked overnights, Sunday through Thursday, between  9 p.m. and 5 a.m. SHA’s contractor for the work is Ardent Company, LLC of McLean, Va.

This project was made possible with funding from the Transportation Infrastructure I​nvestment 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.

As crews work to keep work zones safe, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert – look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones. For Everyone!

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