Drivers in Maryland are well on their way to beating the I-495 Beltway blues.

A construction project currently underway in Montgomery County, MD, involves the replacement or redecking of four bridges on the I-495 Washington D.C. Beltway. An increase in traffic in the area to more than 250,000 vehicles each day contributed to the deterioration of the bridge decks and necessitated the project.

Work began in early April, with construction affecting about 2.5 mi. (4 km) of the Capital Beltway near Silver Spring between U.S. 29 and MD 97. Work involves the re-decking of two bridges, a complete replacement of a third bridge, and a widening and re-decking of a fourth bridge. Estimates bring the project to completion in September 2001.

Both state and federal funds totaling about $18 million have been allocated for the construction, which has been contracted to Cianbro Corporation, whose regional office is in Baltimore.

According to Project Manager Ed Kloeber, machinery for the project includes dozers, loaders, and cranes, including a 28-ton hydraulic crane and a 65-ton cable crane.

He added that the biggest challenge with the project has been traffic control. “There are about 260,000 vehicles per day that travel through the construction site on 495, so it’s a big concern with everybody. We have to maintain all lanes of traffic during rush hours.” No lanes have been closed during peak travel times, although they have been narrowed and shifted slightly.

Kevin Nowak, area engineer for construction at the State Highway Administration District 3 Office in Prince George’s County, also cited traffic control as the major problem with the construction. “The Capital Beltway is four lanes, and completing all the work and maintaining the traffic at rush hour has been a big problem,” he said.

Two express bus routes were introduced in an attempt to provide motorists with an alternative travel option. Known as “Beat the Beltway Blues,” the program encourages commuters to help ease traffic in the congested area.

Kloeber reported that specialty subcontractors working with Cianbro include F.O. Day completing the paving, Dixie Construction grinding the asphalt, Highway Safety and Services providing the traffic control signs, Specialty Services Contractors installing the permanent overhead signing on the beltway and Teco Electric completing the electrical work.

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