(December 4, 2013) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) recently began a $1.1 million storm water management facility improvement project on US 29 (Colesville Road/Columbia Pike) between the US 29/MD 650 (New Hampshire Avenue) interchange and Industrial Parkway in Silver Spring. Weather permitting, the project should be complete late fall 2014. 

Preliminary work on the project began in late November. The improvements include:

• Repairing a failed roadway slope along southbound US 29  and an existing storm drainage structure;

• Stabilizing a downstream channel of the Paint Branch Creek;

• Lining an existing metal draining pipe under southbound US 29 and;

• Retrofitting a storm water management facility along northbound US 29.

These improvements will be built in the median; therefore, crews will close a single lane in both directions of US 29, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The project will continue through the winter (weather permitting) until the project is complete next year.

“Reducing the potential for flooding will address a critical safety concern,” said Brian W. Young, SHA District 3 Engineer. “By building the storm water management facility and fixing the slope, it will improve roadway drainage conditions during storms for those who travel on US 29.”

SHA’s contractor for the work is Fort Meyer Construction Corporation of Washington, D.C. More than 65,000 motorists use this section of US 29 daily. Residents and travelers are advised that equipment used for construction can be loud and disruptive.

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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