(May 2, 2014) – Beginning tonight at 9 p.m., the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning construction on new concrete bus pads along southbound MD 355 (Frederick Road) at South Westland Drive and North Westland Drive in Gaithersburg.   Crews will close two lanes of southbound MD 355 on Friday at 9 p.m. until 12 noon on Saturday.  Crews will continue with a single lane closure on southbound MD 355 until 5 a.m. Monday morning.

Although crews may not always be present, lanes must remain closed until the bus pad concrete is fully cured and all affected lanes are declared safe for travel. SHA will first construct bus pads along southbound MD 355, and then along northbound MD 355 at the following locations (all work is weather permitting and expected to be complete by late summer):

• Southbound Frederick Road near Shady Grove Road and the I-370 on-ramp

• Southbound Frederick Road near South Westland Drive

• Southbound Frederick Road near North Westland Drive

• Northbound Frederick Road at Rosemount Drive

• Northbound Frederick Road near Shady Grove Road

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

The bus pad construction is part of a $2.1 million safety and resurfacing project on Frederick Road in Montgomery County from King Farm Boulevard to Central Avenue.

“Motorists who travel along Frederick Road should pay close attention to changing pedestrian traffic patterns along MD 355 during bus pad construction,” said Brian Young, SHA District 3 Engineer. “Drivers should adjust to reduced speeds and lanes closures, pedestrians should similarly prepare to adjust to changes in the maintenance of pedestrian traffic inside the bus pad work zones.”

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!

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