Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center has provided an update on the mother who gave birth to her baby girl on southbound I-270 early Friday morning: “Alexa Almonte never expected her first daughter to arrive roadside, but baby Valentina had other ideas. Mom and baby are resting comfortably at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center after the exciting delivery Friday, April 7. Valentina was born along southbound I-270 in Germantown at about 2 a.m.

Valentina weighs 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measures 21 inches. Her name means “healthy and strong” says Alexa, who also has two sons. Alexa says the delivery was “very unexpected” and came just 30 minutes after experiencing signs that she might be in labor. She praised the outstanding nurses at Shady Grove Medical Center for the care and emotional support they are providing to her family after the experience. “It’s so important to have,” Alexa says.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a vehicle fire involving a “Chariots for Hire” charter/limo bus on the inner loop of I495, between River Rd. and the I270 spur on Tuesday morning around 11am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire has been extinguished and there were no passengers on board. No injuries have been reported. Some lanes are currently blocked and drivers should expect residual delays.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Traffic Advisory – IL I495 beltway north of River Road before Bradley Boulevard overpass, right side of road way is blocked, traffic gets by to the left, @mcfrs PE710, E752, PE726, T706, UT752, BC702, PIO on scene @MDSHA @MDSP @MCDOTNow”


I-270 was closed in both directions between Montrose Road and the I-270 split (Old Georgetown Rd/Democracy Blvd) due to a collision and police activity on Friday morning. According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, “units responded for a personal injury collision in the northbound lanes of 270 between the split and Montrose Rd. They came across an unattended vehicle… but it turns out the alleged driver of the vehicle disrobed, dropped all of his clothes in the middle of the road, and attempted to get into several vehicles… as truck 10 from Cabin John was heading southbound, the man jumped onto the truck and was attempting to get into the moving vehicle. They slowed down so the man would have to hold on. The doors were locked ”

It appeares as though the person was suffering from “excited delirium” and has been secured and transported to the hospital for evaluation. All lanes have reopened.


Transurban has announced that Accelerate Maryland Partners (AM Partners) has decided not to proceed with the Maryland Express Lanes Project and as a result has today submitted a notice to terminate to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in regard to the preferred developer agreement. Additional information below, per the Transurban press release:

AM Partners was originally selected in February 2021 as Maryland’s preferred developer for Phase 1 of the project. Since that time, extensive work has been undertaken on the project and draft concession agreement in partnership with MDOT. However, the project continues to face challenges including significant delays to environmental approvals, changing political landscape and environmental lawsuits that remain unresolved. Following extensive good faith negotiations by AM Partners, agreement with MDOT on the form of the concession agreement has not been reached and a committed section proposal will not be submitted by the deadline of 21 March 2023.


A Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) bridge rehabilitation project is bringing Safe Zones Automated Speed Enforcement (“speed cameras”) back to the Beltway. This project involves the rehabilitation of the bridge carrying I-95 above the Outer Loop of the Beltway (I-495 West) within the I-495/I-95 interchange in College Park. Contractor crews will be repairing the bridge’s deck joints as well as its concrete piers and columns.

The Automated Speed Enforcement is focused on traffic on the Outer Loop of the Beltway, just past the split with I-95 North, headed towards New Hampshire Avenue and into Montgomery County. In a written statement, the State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) highlighted the different phases of this Automated Speed Enforcement effort:


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded to two separate collisions in between Connecticut Avenue and Rockville Pike/NB I270 on Thursday morning around 8am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the first collision involved multiple vehicles, including one vehicle that hit the median/jersey wall/divider.

The second collision on the OL I495, prior to exit/split to NB I270, involved an overturned vehicle. One adult is  is being transported by EMS with Priority 2 trauma. Some lanes are currently blocked prior to exit 34 and drivers should expect delays. We will post an update when additional information becomes available.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services are on the scene of an overturned dump truck on I495 between Georgia Ave and Colesville Rd. There are currently significant delays on both the Inner and Outer loop of the highway. The driver of the truck was briefly entrapped in the vehicle and is reported to have suffered minor injuries.

According to @WTOPtraffic on Twitter, the left lanes are currently blocked due to the collision and spilled debris. Drivers are advised to seek and alternate route and to expect significant delays.  We will post an update when additional information becomes available.


The storm is expected to begin as a wintry mix for points north and west of the I-95 corridor. Garrett and Allegany counties are expecting icing conditions, so motorists are encouraged to keep updated with forecasts and delay travel in the event of icing. The application of salt brine is used to prevent precipitation from initially bonding to the pavement. Motorists are encouraged to remain home and off the roads so crews can effectively and efficiently treat the roads.

“We’re asking for motorists’ patience while our crews are out doing their jobs, clearing paths for drivers,” MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith said. “While we encourage everyone to stay home if travel becomes hazardous, those who must go out should remember that the safest spot for people that have to drive is safely behind our equipment.”


Last week the Maryland Department of Transportation announced the next steps for the State of Maryland’s Traffic Relief Plan, which included a10-month extension for private companies to submit proposals. On Friday, Governor-Elect Wes Moore issued the following statement:

Under Lt. Gov.-Elect Aruna Miller’s leadership, the Moore-Miller administration is eager to work collaboratively with Comptroller-elect Brooke Lierman, Treasurer Dereck Davis, the Maryland General Assembly, County Executive Marc Erich, and our communities to find the best path forward.”


$93 Million Project Expands Traffic Capacity, Reduces Congestion and Enhances Safety for Commuters, Residents and Businesses 

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) earlier this week announced completion of a $93 million project to reconstruct and expand the I-270/MD 85 (Buckeystown Pike) interchange in Frederick County. This project enhances safety, reduces congestion and expands traffic capacity in this heavily traveled residential and commercial area.


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