(June 17, 2019) –The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is beginning a project to improve MD 500 (Queens Chapel Road) between MD 208 (Hamilton Street) and Eastern Avenue (Washington D.C. line) to enhance safety and mobility in Hyattsville and Mount Rainer. The $13.4 million project should be complete late-fall 2021.

The project will significantly improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists that use MD 500.  Safety enhancements include:

• Installing new traffic signal with pedestrian crossing accessibility at the MD 500/Russell Avenue intersection;

• Reconstructing and adding new ADA-compliant sidewalk;

• Installing LED pedestrian lighting on MD 500 in the city limits of Hyattsville;

• Constructing concrete medians to provide pedestrian refuge and calm traffic;

• Realigning the MD 500/Ager Road intersection for enhanced motorists sight distance;

• Lowering the speed limit on MD 500 from 35 mph to 30 mph; and

• Paving and installing new pavement markings on MD 500.

"This investment along MD 500 (Queen Chapel's Road) will greatly improve the safety of all who travel in this thriving corridor," said MDOT SHA Administrator Greg Slater. "Through urban reconstruction projects and our urban mobility program, MDOT SHA is prioritizing pedestrian safety and accessibility in urban areas by lowering speed limits, adding sidewalk, enhancing crosswalks, and making other infrastructure improvements that prioritize modal choice for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit customers."

Work along the 1.2-mile project also includes upgrading the highway drainage systems and milling and paving MD 500 for a smoother riding and bicycling surface.

Motorists will encounter off-peak single lane closures on MD 500, MD 501 (Chillum Road) and MD 208. MDOT SHA’s contractor, Ardent Company, LLC of McLean, Va., will work Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Sunday nights and Friday mornings between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. during paving operations.

During construction, access to Ager Road from eastbound MD 500 will be temporarily closed as the Ager Road/MD 500 intersection is realigned. Access to Ager Road from westbound MD 500 will be maintained throughout construction, but access to MD 500 from Ager Road will be restricted during the realignment. Traffic will be detoured MD 208 to MD 500.

An average of 29,300 motorists use this section of MD 500 daily, so drivers are encouraged to allow extra commuting time during the project.

Crews are in the final stage of phase one of the MD 500 urban reconstruction project currently underway between MD 410 (East West Highway) and MD 208 (Hamilton Street). This should be complete mid-late fall.

MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our contractor. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on the road and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Drive like you work here and slowdown in construction zones.

For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto md511.maryland.gov.

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