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:

“A warning period began December 12 for motorists exceeding the posted speed limit of 55 mph. Beginning January 3, after a 21-day warning period, Maryland State Police will review and authorize citations. By law, if a vehicle is recorded traveling at or above a specified rate over the posted speed limit, a $40 fine will be issued [and mailed] to the registered owner of the vehicle. The posted speed is 55 MPH.”

Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement has been previously implemented on several different bridge projects on the Beltway in both Montgomery and Prince George’s County.

A collision on the outer loop of the beltway has blocked all lanes near Georgia Avenue this morning after a fire engine that was on the scene assisting with a previous accident was struck by a passing motorist, according to MCFRS PIO Pete Piringer.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the fire engine was initially trapped in their car before MCFRS extricated the driver. No word on the condition of the driver.

Beltway traffic is being redirected to nearby Colesville Road.

The second crash occurred just before 8:30am this morning and all lanes remain blocked as of 8:46am. Montgomery County Emergency Management wants to “expect significant delays” and to “seek alternate route.”

The right lane of I-495 South (Beltway Outer Loop) will be closed above the Dulles Toll Road (Virginia 267), from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24 to 5AM Monday, Sept. 27 for bridge joint work, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Additionally, crews will close a 2nd right lane nightly this weekend starting at 11PM. Crews are scheduled to reopen the 2nd lane from the right Saturday and Sunday Mornings at 7AM. 1 right lane will remain closed all weekend. All exit ramps will remain open.

Crews will be working on the joints in the bridges carrying Beltway Outer Loop traffic over the Dulles Toll Road. Though large portions of the Beltway were rebuilt as part of the I-495 Express Lanes project, these bridges were not. These bridges were built in the 1960s.

Tysons: On Fri 9/24-Sun 9/26, plan for nightly double lane closures on I-495 SB (Outer Loop) over the @Dulles_Toll_Rd for bridge work. The I-495 SB right lane will be closed all weekend. More info: https://t.co/YjukJbmgRM pic.twitter.com/mVhUtZSuns

— VDOT Northern VA 😷 (@VaDOTNOVA) September 23, 2021

8am update from Montgomery County Emergency Management: All travel lanes have reopened on the Inner Loop I-495 prior to Exit 31 for Georgia Ave (MD-97). Residual delays remain.

Multiple collisions on I-495 have shut down the inner loop of the beltway, prior to Exit 31 (Georgia Avenue).

Initially, at approximately 6:40am, an incident blocked the two right lanes and the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management put out an alert letting people know to seek an alternate route and expect major delays.

Since then, at approximately 6:54am, Montgomery County Police put out a warning informing the public that all lanes have closed and advising drivers to seek alternate routes.

According to new data from state transportation officials, traffic on Maryland roads and highways has begun to approach and exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Per the State of Maryland:

“Holiday travel during the Fourth of July Weekend exceeding 2019 levels is an important milestone signaling our state’s strong recovery from the pandemic,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Traffic volumes are exceeding pre-pandemic levels across the state, including at the American Legion Bridge, making the need for our Traffic Relief Plan more urgent than ever”

Maryland Highways/Roads:

• At the height of the pandemic, statewide highway travel fell by as much as 50%.
• Figures from MDOT State Highway Administration show a 0.4% increase in traffic levels on Maryland roadways for the first week of July 2021 over the first week of July 2019.
• With average daily traffic of 138,460 for the week leading into the Fourth of July weekend on the Baltimore Beltway between I-895 and US 1, this represented an increase of 5% compared to the same week in 2019.
• Traffic volume on the Capital Beltway at the American Legion Bridge exceeded pre-pandemic levels with average daily traffic of 226,851 this year, an increase of 0.26% compared to the same week in 2019.
• For the first time since March 2020, volume at Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) bridges and tolls exceeded 2019 figures.

BWI Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI):

• At the height of the pandemic, passenger travel at BWI Airport fell by more than 90%.
• On Friday, July 2, BWI Airport experienced its busiest day for departing passenger traffic since the start of the pandemic.
  • The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened 28,655 departing passengers.

Port Of Baltimore:

• In May 2020, general cargo figures surpassed pre-pandemic numbers, increasing by 2% over May 2019.

Shortly before 5AM on December 4, 2005, Maryland State Troopers responded to a crash on the Outer Loop of the Beltway near University Blvd. Troopers arrived and found a three-vehicle chain reaction crash where two people had died. They were: Sandra M. Cornejo, 26, of Silver Spring, and Yanira D. Ramirez, 28, of Silver Spring. Three others were seriously injured.

The driver of one of the vehicles, a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, fled from the crash scene on foot. Investigators contacted the registered owner of the vehicle and learned his roommate, identified as David Psina, who was in his 20’s and living in Germantown, had the vehicle without permission and had been drinking prior to driving. Psina also did not have a driver’s license.

A search of the vehicle and further evidence processing reinforced that Psina was the driver who fled. Ultimately, warrants were obtained for Psina, charging him with two counts of manslaughter, two counts of negligent homicide while impaired, two counts of negligent homicide while under the influence, theft, and two counts related to the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

Repeated efforts to locate Psina have so far been unsuccessful. The warrants remain active, and anyone with any information is asked to call the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack at 301-424-2101. Tips may also be called into Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). All tipsters may remain anonymous.

Crash Narrative below from Maryland State Police: The crash occurred shortly before 5:00 a.m. on December 4, 2005 on the outer loop of I-495 near University Blvd, in Montgomery Co. The crash involved three vehicles: a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 1997 Ford Escort and a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The investigation determined all three vehicles were traveling westbound on I-495, east of University Blvd. There were four lanes of travel with a 55 mph speed limit. It had been raining and the roadway was wet. All vehicles were in lane three, with the fast lane being lane one and the slow lane being lane four.

The first crash occurred when the driver of the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer ran into the back of the 1997 Ford Escort. The 2005 Chevrolet then collided with the center median jersey wall. The 1997 Ford Escort became disabled in lane three and had no lights on. This vehicle was then struck from behind by a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

There were five people in the Ford Escort. Two were killed. They were: Sandra M. Cornejo, 26, of Silver Spring, Md., and Yanira D. Ramirez, 28, of Silver Spring. The other three were seriously injured.

The driver of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer remained at the scene and refused treatment, indicating he was not injured to an extent that required medical attention. He told investigators he came upon the disabled vehicle suddenly because it had no lights and he was unable to avoid striking it.

The driver of the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer fled the scene on foot after the crash. State Police investigators contacted the owner of the vehicle and learned his roommate, identified as David Psina, who was in his 20’s and living in Germantown, Md., had taken his vehicle without permission and had been drinking prior to taking the vehicle. It was determined Psina did not have a driver’s license.

Additional investigation by State Police included a search of the vehicle and processing of evidence that further identified Psina as the driver. Investigators consulted with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office throughout the investigation. As a result, warrants were obtained for Psina, charging him with two counts of manslaughter, two counts of negligent homicide while impaired, two counts of negligent homicide while under the influence, theft, and two counts related to the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

A search for Psina was unsuccessful. Repeated efforts to locate him also proved unsuccessful. The warrants remain active, but unfortunately, he has not been located.

Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack: 301-424-2101.

Crime Solvers of Montgomery County: 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). All tipsters may remain anonymous.

Downed Tree Damages Car, Snarls Beltway Traffic

Shortly before 9AM Sunday, a large tree fell down on the Inner Loop of the Beltway between River Road and Bradley Blvd.

Immediately after the tree fell, a passing car struck part of the tree in the roadway. Fortunately, nobody was injured.

Firefighters from the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department and the Carderock Naval Surface Warfare Center quickly cleared the downed tree. They were assisted by a passing landscaping crew who stopped and assisted. Several lanes were briefly blocked but have since reopened.

Tow Truck Struck While Clearing Beltway Crash

Photos Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire/Rescue Chief Spokesman Pete Piringer

Shortly before 2PM Thursday, a tow operator was attempting to pick up a disabled car from the right shoulder of the offramp from the Inner Loop of the Beltway (I-495) to Rockville Pike (MD-355). While that disabled car was being loaded, a pickup truck was attempting to pass the scene.

The driver of the pickup truck lost control and crashed into the rear of the rollback tow truck and disabled car. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured, but the driver of the striking pickup had to be extricated by members of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad.

Latest Beltway Project Increases Roadway Friction, Should Decrease Crashes

Featured Photo Courtesy of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad

Next week, Maryland State Highway Administration Contractors will begin installing the latest safety improvement designed to improve safety and reduce crashes on an especially problematic section of the Beltway.

On the Outer Loop of the Beltway between Connecticut Avenue and the Big Curve over the I-270 Spur, crews will apply a high friction surface treatment to the roadway. This treatment will increase friction, allowing vehicles to stop in shorter distances and reduce skidding and hydroplaning.

In a written statement, Maryland State Highway Administrator Tim Smith said, “This project will improve the roadway surface as one strategy to reduce crashes on the Capital Beltway. This engineering solution will make the roadway safer, especially when coupled with motorists being cautious and obeying posted speed limits.”

Contractors will close lanes on the Outer Loop between 7PM and 5AM beginning Monday, February 8. Crews will work every night of the week; completion is expected by Mid-February.

Fire Engine Struck at Beltway Crash Scene

Photos Courtesy of Chevy Chase Fire Company 7

Around 11:30 Monday morning, emergency responders were dispatched to a single vehicle collision on the Outer Loop of the Beltway between Connecticut Avenue and Rockville Pike.

While responders were on scene of the first crash, Paramedic Engine 707 was struck by a passing vehicle. No firefighters were injured; the driver of the striking vehicle was transported to the hospital  minor injuries.

The fire engine that was struck, a 2008 Spartan housed in the Chevy Chase Fire Station on Connecticut Avenue, was significantly damaged and had to be towed from the scene.

Responders throughout the DC area have responded to numerous collisions during the recent winter weather.

Next Stage of Beltway Overpass Rehabilitation Includes 1 Month of Weeknight Beltway Closures

Beginning at 9PM on Sunday, January 24, Maryland State Highway Administration contractors will begin setting new steel beams as part of the rehabilitation of the Seminary Road bridge over the Beltway, between Connecticut and Georgia Avenues.

This bridge rehabilitation includes replacing the bridge deck/driving surface and the steel framework below the deck. This next stage involves setting the steel beams for the future Northbound lane of Seminary Road. As crews will be working directly above the Beltway, the lanes below the steel work will need to be closed.

Crews will be closing lanes every weeknight between this Sunday (January 24th) and late February. Crews will close one lane at 9PM, two lanes at 10PM and three lanes at 11PM. Crews may also stop all four lanes of traffic in each direction for up to 15 minutes at a time. Maryland Route 200 (the Intercounty Connector), and Maryland Route 410 (East-West Highway) are good alternatives to use during these closures.

Featured Photo Courtesy of the Maryland State Highway Administration