Adam Tuss, wtop.com
ROCKVILLE, Md. – Does the ride to work feel smoother? For a lot of drivers in Montgomery County, the bumps literally came out of the road.
The county just wrapped up an extensive series of repaving projects, covering 43 miles. Stimulus funds — nearly $7 million — paid for all of it.
Randolph Road, Forest Glen Road, Shady Grove Road and Old Columbia Pike received major makeovers.
“These roadways were assessed by the Department of Transportation as being the most deteriorated,” said County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett at a news conference Monday.
He also talked about the importance of the county having a balanced approach to transportation.
“As we continue our efforts to extend transit, we must also make investments in roads. It is much needed in Montgomery County,” said Leggett.
Here is a complete list of the completed repaving projects:
- More than 10 lane miles of Shady Grove Road from Interstate 270 to Darnestown Road. This project added bike lanes and acceleration lanes and replaced non- standard traffic barriers. The work added ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act to sidewalks.
- Nearly 10 lane miles of Barnesville Road from Mt. Ephraim Road to Maryland Route 117. This project improved safety with new traffic barriers and thermoplastic pavement markings.
- About 4.5 miles of Randolph Road from east of Nebel Street to Rock Creek Bridge. The project replaced existing sidewalk and ramps with standard sidewalks and ADA ramps. Workers installed new thermoplastic pavement markings with track symbols near the railroad tracks.
- About 3.6 lane miles of Forest Glen Road from Maryland Route 97 to Brunett Avenue. The road work improved pavement striping by adding bike lanes and a pedestrian crossing at the Sligo Creek intersection. It also removed ditch along edge of roadway improving access and eliminated an unsafe drop off. The work involved installing standard concrete curb and gutters and replacing existing sidewalk and ramps with standard sidewalks and ADA ramps.
- More than 10 lane miles of Old Columbia Pike from Maryland Route 198 to U.S. Route 29, Columbia Pike on-ramp. This project replaced existing sidewalk and ramps with standard sidewalks and ADA ramps and improved storm water drainage at various locations. Working with Paint Branch High School, the project improved access to entrances and exits. Work included the installation of roadside traffic barriers protecting hazardous embankments.
- Nearly 5 lane miles of Travilah Road from Dufief Road to River Road. In this stretch, new traffic barriers and thermoplastic pavement markings increased roadside safety and improved operating conditions.
- About 3.7 lane miles of Wightman Road from Brink Road to Goshen Road. This project realigned the concrete median at the intersection of Montgomery Village Avenue, improving traffic flow. It also repaired the shoulder area at Great Seneca Park entrance across from Brink Road. Workers installed hot mix asphalt base to restore the roadway’s integrity and replaced roadside non-standard traffic barriers.
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