Bethesda Road Projects: What You Need To Know

The weather’s getting warmer, and there are several road projects under way – or soon to be underway – in and around Bethesda. Here are a few important projects that could affect your commute:

Battery Lane Road Paving Project

Location: Battery Lane Between Old Georgetown Road and Wisconsin Avenue

Anticipated Start Date: May 9

Anticipated Length of Project: Three to four weeks

Project Description: The project will resurface the roadway and may also include asphalt patching in order to preserve and enhance the road.

Who’s Handling the Project?: Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Division of Highway Services

What You Should Know: The work will take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Traffic flow will continue, but there may be delays due to temporary lane closures and alternating one-way traffic patterns with flaggers directing traffic. There may also be parking restrictions.

Location: Old Georgetown Road between North Brook Lane and Wisconsin Avenue

Anticipated Start Date: Spring of 2011 (already under way)

Anticipated End of Work: June 2011

Project Description: Crews will be milling and grinding the top layer of portions of the roadway and putting down fresh asphalt, cleaning and replacing inlets to improve stormwater flow and upgrading sidewalks and ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act standards. 

Who’s Handling the Project?: The State Highway Administration

What You Should Know: Expect ongoing single-lane closures along Old Georgetown Road between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. As paving work gets under way, there will also be double lane closures overnight from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. Portions of the sidewalk are also closed.

Cedar Lane Bridge Project

Anticipated Start Date: January 2011 (already underway)

Anticipated Length of Project: 10 months

Project Description: Crews are working to replace the bridge where Cedar Lane crosses Rock Creek. The project will also add a bikeway/pedestrian path. The bridge was classified as “structurally deficient” in 2007 and was posted for load restrictions, according to Montgomery County, and a 2008 inspection also revealed that concrete beams and piers were in poor condition.

Who’s Handling the Project?: Montgomery County Department of Transportation

What You Should Know: The bridge will be closed between June 17 and August 4, when schools are out of session. Drivers will be detoured and pedestrians will use a temporary bridge to cross Rock Creek.

Check for more information on a project beginning July 4 on Wisconsin Avenue between the District Line and Bradley Boulevard.