Lot 31 Groundbreaking Delayed Again

The groundbreaking for a major public parking garage project at the intersection of Bethesda and Woodmont Avenues had been delayed -- again.

The project will now break ground in March, according officials at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center.

The project will prompt the 30-month closure of two surface parking lots -- with 279 spots -- popular among shoppers, diners, and users of the nearby Capital Crescent Trail.

The groundbreaking date has been pushed back several times -- the latest estimates called for a February launch. Eventually, the garage will add more parking to crowded Bethesda Row, but in the short-term, parkers and businesses say they're expecting a crunch.

Along with the parking garage, developers StonebridgeCarras and PN Hoffman are also planning residential and retail projects on either side of Woodmont, with 250 units and ground-floor retail.

The construction project will mean the 20-month closure of a portion of Woodmont Avenue south of Bethesda Avenue. The Woodmont closure is expected one to two months following the groundbreaking, though the Capital Crescent Trail will remain open throughout construction.

To help open up parking spots for shoppers, the county plans on shifting long-term parking out of the public garage between Bethesda and Elm Streets and adding 103 short-term parking spaces there, according to the Bethesda Urban Partnership.

Long-term spaces will be available at the Woodmont Avenue-Old Georgetown Road Garage and the Auburn-Del Ray Avenue Garage. Long term parkers will be encouraged to take the free Bethesda Circulator to head downtown from outlying lots.

Circulator service will also be expanded.

For more information on where to park during the Lot 31 closure, visit the Bethesda Urban Partnership's website.