Work on the 1.6 mile project includes:
• Improving roadside drainage to reduce standing water on US 50 at MD 202;
• Replacing concrete curb and gutter;
• Installing nearly two miles of guardrail;
• Cleaning drainage inlets and pipes;
• Installation of rumble strips at the ramps to the US 50/MD 202 interchange;
• Patching, grinding and resurfacing all lanes and;
• Applying new pavement markings.
“US 50 is a primary artery for approximately 125,000 vehicles per day that commute between Washington D.C. and Maryland,” said Melinda B. Peters, SHA Administrator. “In addition to a smoother ride surface, motorists familiar with the route will notice significantly better roadside drainage during storms.”
During construction, motorists should plan on extra commuting time. SHA will close a single lane and road shoulder in both directions on US 50 weekdays, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. During the resurfacing phase of the project next year, crews will also close a single lane and road shoulder in both directions of US 50 and individual ramps at the US 50/MD 202 interchange overnight, Sunday through Thursday, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
SHA will notify motorists about ramp closures and detours well in advance of each ramp closure. Electronic variable message signs near the project route will notify motorists of detours related to temporary ramp closures. SHA’s contractor for the work is F.O. Day, Inc. of Rockville. Residents and travelers are advised that equipment used for construction can be loud and disruptive.
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.
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!
# # #