On Friday the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA) provided an update on the sinkhole on SB I-270 prior to exit 9 l, which is still undergoing repairs that could last until July 4th.
Per MDSHA: “Major pipe failure looked small on surface of SB I-270, but it was only the tip of the iceberg. Damage underneath was not visible to drivers but is 20 ft wide, 15 ft long & 12 ft deep. Crews are installing new 80-ft pipe w/a focus on your safety.”
On Tuesday, MCDOT announced that Ride On bus service routes 70,71,73,78,79, and 100 will experience detours for up to two weeks, effective immediately.
🚧ICYMI🚧
Last week, @MDSHA began a resurfacing project on I-270 south of MD 109 in @MontgomeryCoMD Expect lane closures on southbound I-270 in this area, between 7:00pm-4:00am each night until mid-July 2022. (weather permitting)
The Maryland State Highway Administration has said that repairs to fix the sinkhole caused by a failed corrugated drainage pipe in the right lane of I-270 southbound prior to Exit 9 I-370 in Montgomery County could take weeks, according to a report by WJLA. Currently MDOT is assessing the extent of the damage and advising drivers to use MD 355 (Frederick Road) as an alternate route.
MDOT SHA is working with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation to adjust traffic signal timing on MD 355 (Frederick Road), which runs parallel to I-270. Additionally, MDOT SHA is using overhead message signs well in advance of the emergency road repair to alert driver of the situation, including both directions of I-70 in Frederick County.
A tractor trailer rolled over following a collision between Connecticut Avenue and 355 on the outer loop of I-495 at approximately 6:45am Saturday morning, according to Montgomery Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) PIO Pete Piringer. One adult was being evaluated for non life-threatening injuries.
Though the cargo was non-hazardous, a HazMat crew was on the scene to help with the pumping off the remaining fuel and to deal with other fluid spillage. The two right lanes of the outer loop of 495 were closed for an extended period of time on Saturday morning.
A collision on EB I370 has closed several lanes in the area of Shady Grove Road. EB I370 is down to left lane only just prior to Shady Grove. The collision occurred around 11:30am on Thursday, May 26. Two adults were transported to an area trauma center after being evaluated EMS, according to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Pete Piringer.
Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and expect significant delays.
“Each year, we see vehicle breakdowns during the hot days of summer that could have been avoided with a simple check prior to a trip,” said MDOT SHA Chief Operating Officer Andre Futrell. “A vehicle check only takes a few minutes and can help avoid costly repairs and keep you on the road.”
In 2021, MDOT SHA highway response technicians provided nearly 36,000 motorist assists, most of them due to vehicle mechanical breakdowns. Common sense preventative maintenance can provide a level of vehicle protection for drivers who are preparing to travel by motor vehicle during the hot summer months.
At 12:51 a.m., MDTA Police Dispatch received a call for a vehicle traveling westbound on the ICC/MD 200 that had been possibly struck by gunfire. Responding officers located a gold 2007 Toyota Sienna van stopped prior to Exit 3 (Shady Grove Road).
An initial investigation indicates the driver of the Toyota van was traveling westbound on the ICC/MD 200 when he reportedly observed another vehicle pull alongside the passenger side of his van. The second vehicle was described as a black sedan that was being driven without headlights on. The driver of the van reported hearing a loud noise and seeing a flash from the black sedan. A passenger in the second row of the van indicated they had been struck by something. The driver of the van continued a short distance before pulling over and contacting police.
The Maryland Department of Transportation announced this morning that Westbound ICC/MD 200 would be temporarily detoured at Georgia Ave/MD 97 for police investigation from 7:30-8:30am, but it appears to have been extended. Detour south on Georgia Av – west on Norbeck Rd – East Gude Dr – north on Frederick Rd (MD 355) – north on Shady Grove Rd – WB ICC. We will post an update when the lanes have reopened.
Severe Traffic Alert – Police activity closes all westbound lanes of Maryland 200 (ICC) at Georgia Avenue (MD 97). All westbound traffic must exit at Georgia Avenue. Expect significant delays. Seek alternate route. #mdtraffic
“We know that many residents depend upon the Ride On bus system for daily trips throughout the County such as work, daycare, health services and other essential trips,” said MCDOT Director, Chris Conklin. “These service improvements are a step in the right direction. They provide access and opportunity to residents who need it.”
Passengers using Montgomery County’s Ride On buses are encouraged to wear a mask, but are no longer required to wear them. The change to the County’s mask policy comes after the announcement on April 18 that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) decided to suspend enforcement of its mask mandate on all modes of public transportation. TSA’s decision came after a Federal judge’s ruling that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mask mandate was unconstitutional.
The TLC program is a long-running annual grant program that funds small projects that coordinate transportation and land use. The awards fund planning and engineering of small projects that would not otherwise be able to move forward and help advance the region’s goals of being multimodal and more walkable.
The five Montgomery projects that received grants were the Olde Towne to Washington Grove Bicycle Connection (City of Gaithersburg); the Montgomery County Streetlight Standards program; the Fleet and Monroe Streets Complete Streets Feasibility Study (City of Rockville); the Takoma Park Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade (City of Takoma Park) and the City of Takoma Park New Avenue Bikeway.
Beginning the first week of June, Ridgefield Road will be closed between River Road (MD-190) and Westbard Avenue. An updated announcement states that Ridgefield Road will remain closed for approximately 16 months, meaning Ridgefield likely won’t reopen until at least October 2023.
Two separate posted detours will direct some traffic to Goldsboro Road, and others to Little Falls Parkway. Ride On Route 23 (Friendship Heights-Sibley Memorial Hospital) will also be detoured during the closure. One of the two sidewalks along Ridgefield is slated to remain open during the closure.