(January 29, 2015) – On Monday, February 2 (weather permitting), the State Highway Administration (SHA) will open the closed section of Sligo Creek Parkway where it intersects with New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650).  The temporary closure has been in place as part of a $2.2 million construction project to rehabilitate the MD 650 Bridge over Sligo Creek in Takoma Park.

“SHA appreciates the patience of the residents and commuters of Takoma Park,” stated SHA District 3 Engineer Brian Young. “The improvements made to the MD 650 Bridge over Sligo Creek and the new traffic signal are major safety upgrades for motorists and pedestrians who travel along this section of New Hampshire Avenue.”

As part of the project, SHA rebuilt the existing traffic signal at the intersection. The rebuilt signal includes new mast arms and signal heads with brighter light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs for better visibility, an audible pedestrian signal (APS) and a countdown pedestrian signal (CPS). The pedestrian signals will produce an audible tone alerting pedestrians when it is safe to cross, and visually display how much time a pedestrian has to safely cross the roadway.

SHA also constructed new concrete medians and curb and gutter, upgraded sidewalks along MD 650 for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, replaced the bridge deck (driving surface) and metal railings, repaired steel beams and resurfaced the bridge approaches.

Originally built in 1932 and widened in 1954, the three-lane bridge carries more than 40,000 vehicles a day.

Once Sligo Creek Parkway reopens to traffic, crews will repaint the bridge later this year. To expedite the painting, crews will be permitted to work Monday through Friday up to 24 hours a day.  The painting necessitates a northbound or southbound single lane closure along MD 650. Crews will erect a temporary concrete barrier during the work. Once painting begins, the work is expected to take four to six weeks, weather permitting.