Community Corner

Repaving Begins on Connecticut Ave. at Jones Bridge Rd.

Work crews are entering into the final phase of the intersection improvement project.

The final phase of the $4-million Connecticut Avenue-Jones Bridge Road intersection improvement project has begun.

Maryland State Highway Administration crews recently started resurfacing Connecticut Avenue (Maryland state Route 185) between the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) and Manor Road, and the project should be done by late August, weather permitting, according to a state highway news statement.

The project is one of several BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) transportation projects planned in the area to improve access to the Walter Reed Naval Medical Center (on Wisconsin Avenue, accessible from the intersection via Jones Bridge Road).

"The improvements along the MD 185 corridor will help relieve the expected traffic flow associated with an increase in patients, visitors and staff at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda," SHA administrator Melinda B. Peters said. "We appreciate motorists’ patience as we work to complete the project this summer," she added.

An average of 67,000 vehicles travel along this section of Connecticut Avenue daily, the statement reported.

To resurface the road, state highway crews remove the top layer of pavement, patch and resurface all lanes, and re-stripe the roadway with new lane markings. 

For the resurfacing, up to two lanes of Connecticut Avenue may be closed during the night (Sunday through Saturday), and one lane may be closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Also slated for this summer: concrete bus pad and driveway work.

Completed so far in this project: road widening, sidewalks, sidewalk ramps, curbs and gutters, roadway medians, utility relocation, storm water management and landscaping work.

At the end of the project, the upgraded intersection will have additional turn lanes, including:

  • A new southbound Connecticut Avenue right-turn-only lane from the I-495 exit ramp to Jones Bridge Road.
  • An additional travel lane on northbound Connecticut Avenue between Manor Road and the entry ramp to I-495 eastbound.
  • An exclusive right-turn lane from northbound Connecticut Avenue to I-495 eastbound.
Are you looking forward to the completion of the improvements? Do you think they will help you with your commute? Tell us in the comments.


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