(October 8, 2013) –This weekend highway crews will start the first of several weekend lane closures along MD 97 (Georgia Ave.) in downtown Silver Spring.  As part of the MD 97 roadway enhancements in Montgomery County, State Highway Administration (SHA) crews will construct new bus pads - the road surface located directly in front of a bus stop and strong enough to support heavier vehicles without damaging the roadway. The construction is part of an ongoing $3.6 million safety and resurfacing project on Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring between Eastern Avenue and MD 390 (16th Street).  Weather permitting, this phase of work should be complete late fall.

 

SHA’s contractor is permitted to close lanes on either northbound or southbound MD 97 (depending on the location of the bus pad) based on the following work schedule:

• Two lanes between Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at noon

• One lane between noon Saturday and Monday at 5 a.m.

Crews will perform different phases of construction at different times. Although workers may not always be present, lanes must remain closed until the bus pad concrete is fully cured (dry) and all affected lanes are declared safe for travel. SHA’s contractor will sequentially construct one bus pad per weekend on Georgia Avenue from Spring Street to Colesville Road at each of the following locations (all work is weather permitting and expected to be complete before the end of November):

• Northbound  Georgia Avenue at Spring Street

• Northbound  Georgia Avenue at Cameron Street

• Southbound   Georgia Avenue at Spring Street

• Southbound  Georgia Avenue at Cameron Street

• Southbound  Georgia Avenue at King Street

• Northbound  Georgia Avenue at Colesville Road

 

“Workers, residents and visitors in downtown Silver Spring should pay close attention to changing pedestrian traffic patterns along MD 97 during this work,” said Brian Young, SHA District 3 Engineer. “Just as motorists must adjust to reduced speeds and lanes closures, pedestrians should similarly prepare to adjust to changes in the maintenance of pedestrian traffic inside work zones along MD 97.  In some cases, pedestrians may need to cross over to the opposite side of the street around the construction zone.”  

SHA will provide pedestrian access within the project limits. Pedestrians are encouraged to follow signs directing them to safe crossings. Additionally there may be limited street parking in small segments of downtown Silver Spring along MD 97. Nearly 41,000 motorists use this heavily traveled section of Georgia Ave. daily, so commuters should plan for extra time and use alternate routes to avoid construction delays.

 

Residents and travelers are advised that construction equipment can be loud and disruptive. SHA asks for your patience as crews work to complete the project.

 

SHA will use construction barrels, construction cones, arrow boards and flaggers to guide motorists through the work zone. 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!