(October 9, 2014) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is resurfacing a section of MD 119 (Great Seneca Highway) in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, as part of a $765,000 project at the Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive intersection. Weather permitting, improvements should be complete by summer 2015.

 

SHA designed the project to increase the left turn lane vehicle capacity to address current and future traffic demands along westbound Orchard Ridge Drive, improve left turn movements from MD 119 onto Orchard Ridge Drive and enhance pedestrian safety across MD 119.

 

Work for the half-mile project consists of:

 

• Extending the westbound left turn lane on Orchard Ridge Drive to provide a total of 350 feet of vehicle storage capacity;

• Modifying the median on Orchard Ridge Drive to improve turning movements from southbound MD 119 onto Orchard Ridge Drive;

• Modifying the median and realigning the crosswalk across the northern leg of MD 119 to improve pedestrian visibility for drivers making right turn movements from Orchard Ridge Drive onto northbound MD 119;

• Constructing sidewalk ramps, curb and gutter median cut-throughs, and detectable warning surfaces for Americans With Disabilities (ADA) compliance; and

• Resurfacing all traffic lanes and applying new pavement markings consistent with the new improvements.

To complete the work, crews may temporarily close one lane in both directions of MD 119:

• Weekdays, northbound between 6 a.m. and noon and southbound between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.;

• Overnight, Sunday through Thursday between 9 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and

• Weekends, northbound between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and southbound between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

SHA’s contractor for the work is M. Luis Construction Company of Baltimore. More than 39,000 vehicles use this heavily traveled section of MD 119 daily.  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 work.

 

Through early winter, crews will complete various phases of all non-resurfacing work including median, sidewalk and curb and gutter construction. Next spring and summer, crews will complete all remaining work and then resurface MD 119 within the project limits.

 

Pedestrian traffic will be maintained at all times during construction. Signs will direct pedestrians to safe crossings within the project limits. SHA may use electronic message boards, construction cones, barrels, arrow boards and a flagging operation to direct 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!