Please report any bad links.

PROJECTS AT A GLANCE: 

This page gives status updates on BRAC transportation projects in Bethesda.  Details on "Response" or "Studies and Reports" Pages.  
 

 

SUMMARIES OF MAIN BRAC PROJECTS:

  • PROJECT:  INTERSECTIONS IMPROVEMENTS 
    • AGENCY: MDOT / SHA (Maryland Dept. of Transportation / State Highway Administration).  Coordinating agencies include MCDOT, Navy, NIH, MNCPPC, NCPC
    • COST & BUDGET:
      • "Tier One" projects had initial funding of approximately $39 million, with MDOT providing approx. $30 million and Federal appropriations adding $9.4 million. 
      • $48.9 million funding for "Outer Phases" approved by Congress in FY2011 appropriation bill, and made available through  grants from the DoD Office of Economic Adjustment for transportation projects at BRAC-impacted military medical facilities.
    • SCOPE OF WORK
  • PROJECT  Rockville Pike (MD 355) @ Cedar Lane Intersection Improvements
    • Tier One projects  (estimated completion, 2016-17):
    • From westbound Cedar Lane, add southbound left turn lane to Wilson Drive (NIH);
    • From North Wood Dr. (NSAB/WRNMMC), add northbound right turn lane onto Cedar Lane; 
    • Add A.M.signal for southbound left turns into N. Wood Drive (NSAB/WRNMMC);
    • Increase southbound left turn lane storage at N. Wood Drive (NSAB/WRNMMC);
    • Increase northbound left turn storage at NIH commercial vehicle inspection facility;
    • Replace two culverts beneath MD 355 @ Cedar Lane;
    • Restriping on Cedar Lane (but no additional lanes) to facilitate turns and traffic flow.
    • Outer Phase projects  (estimated completion, 2016-17):
    • Widen Cedar Lane east and west of Rockville Pike to create dedicated turn lanes and realign culverts;
    • "Phase 4" -- Create an additional northbound lane north of Cedar Lane by widening along ROW adjacent to, but not infringing upon, the service road parallel to Rockville Pike   (NOTE: this phase will not proceed until federal funds are released, pending further environmental and traffic studies).
       
  • PROJECT:  Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) @ Jones Bridge Road Intersection Improvements
    • Tier One projects  (completed, 2014):
    • Add southbound lane from I-495 with dedicated right turn onto Jones Bridge Road    (Connecticut Avenue will not be widened to add lane; median will be reduced)
    • Reduce the median on Connecticut Ave. north and south of JBR to create an  additional northbound lane.
    • MCDOT will install interim signal on JBR @ Spring Valley Road; other mitigation to follow.  (see Chevy Chase Valley Traffic Safety Mitigation, below).
    • Outer Phase projects  (estimated completion TBD following utilities relocation and reconstruction of retaining wall at Howard Hughes Medical Institute) :
    • Widen Jones Bridge Road west and east of Connecticut Ave. along the south side of JBR to create an additional left turn lane onto northbound Connecticut Ave. and reduce congestion along JBR east of Connecticut Avenue during the PM peak.
       
  • PROJECT:  Rockville Pike (MD 355) @ Jones Bridge Road/Woodmont Avenue Intersection Improvements
    • Tier One project  (completed 2014;  signal activation pending long term construction):
    • Variable electronic signaling to create two p.m. southbound left turn lanes onto JBR.
    • Outer Phase projects  (estimated completion in conjunction with Medical Center Metro Station Crossing Project, 2018):
    • Add a southbound lane adjacent to NIH in order to create a permanent double left turn onto JBR.
    • Convert the southbound through lane into an exclusive left turn in the PM peak, add an exclusive left out of NIH at Center Drive, and change lane usage on eastbound Jones Bridge Road from a shared through/left lane to an exclusive left.
    • Traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements on southbound Rockville Pike/Woodmont Avenue.
       
  •  PROJECT:  Old Georgetown Rd (MD 187) @ West Cedar Lane/Oakmont Avenue Intersection Improvements  :
    • Widening along southbound MD 187 south of Cedar Lane to create a new  northbound dedicated right turn lane onto Cedar Lane; change lane usage on  westbound Cedar from a through lane to a shared through/left; construct an exclusive right turn lane.
    • Estimated  completion, summer 2016
       
  • PROJECT:  Sligo Creek/Anacostia Tributary Trail:
    • These park improvements are mitigation for BRAC-related storm water management construction on park lands at Rockville Pike @ Cedar Lane.

       
  • PROJECT:  CHEVY CHASE VALLEY TRAFFIC SAFETY MITIGATION (INCLUDING PLATT RIDGE DRIVE EXTENDED):  To mitigate unintended impacts of the Intersections Improvement project at the northwest corner of Connecticut Avenue @ Jones Bridge Road and to improve safety and access to the Chevy Chase Valley community.  Estimated completion of Platt Ridge extension: July, 2016.

 

  • PROJECT:  CROSSING PROJECT AT MEDICAL CENTER METRO STATION, ROCKVILLE PIKE (MD 355)  (estimated completion, Fall 2018)
    • AGENCY: Montgomery County DOT is lead agency, coordinating with MDOT, SHA, Navy, DOD Defense Access Road (DAR) Program, NIH, DOD, Federal Highway Administration (FHwA), WMATA, M-NCPPC, National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), and Maryland Historic Trust (MHT).
       
    • PREFERRED DESIGN:  MCDOT and associated agencies have agreed on a design that includes two main components -- a pedestrian underpass between the Medical Center Metro station and NSAB/WRNMMC, and deep elevators to the Metro platform near the Navy gate at South Wood Drive.  The underpass would serve pedestrians needing access to NSAB/WRMMMC, including bus and car/vanpool commuters and neighborhood pedestrians and cyclists who do not use Metrorail.The deep elevators would provide direct access to NSAB/WRNMMC for Metrorail commuters.  The design would also include at-grade Transportation Systems Management and Transportation Demand Management (TSM/TDM) elements to promote pedestrian safety and improve traffic operations.
       
    • COST & BUDGET:  In anticipation of significant federal funding for this project, MCDOT conducted an Environmental Assessment required for federally funded transportation projects.  MCDOT and associated agencies reached consensus on a design that would cost $68.174 million.
       
    • FUNDING:  The project is fully funded at $68.174 million for design and construction from two funding sources:  $28.174 million in Defense Access Road Program funds from the Department of Defense, and by a $40 million grant from the DoD Office of Economic Adjustment for transportation projects at BRAC-impacted military medical facilities.
    • SCOPE OF WORK: The project has two main components -- a pedestrian underpass and deep elevators -- along with at-grade pedestrian safety and traffic operations improvements.  Estimated completion 2017.
       
    • STATUS:   MCDOT has received approval of this plan from the Federal Highway Administration.  A design-build process will be used to expedite construction once a contract has been awarded.
  • PROJECT:  SIDEWALKS AND BIKE PATHS   (projects completed)
    • AGENCY: Montgomery County Dept. of Transportation (MCDOT).  Coordinating agencies include SHA, Navy, NIH, MNCPPC.
    • COST & BUDGET:
      • $750,000 Facilities Study funded by Office of Economic Adjustment (DOD).  Construction estimated at approx. $5 million; fully funded in County budget.
    • SCOPE OF WORK:
      • Sidewalk, east side Rockville Pike from Cedar Lane to Jones Bridge Road;
      • Shared Use Bike/Pedestrian Path, north side Jones Bridge Road from Rockville Pike to Platt Ridge Drive, then south side to Connecticut Avenue;
      • Shared Use Bike/Pedestrian Path, south side West Cedar Lane from Old Georgetown Road to Rockville Pike;
      • Wayfinding signage and lighting, neighborhoods south of NIH
         
  • PROJECT:  CEDAR LANE / ROCK CREEK BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION WITH NEW SHARED USE PATH  (project completed)
    • AGENCY: Montgomery County Dept. of Transportation (MCDOT).  Coordinating agencies include MNCPPC.
    • SCOPE OF WORK:
      • Reconstruction of Cedar Lane bridge over Rock Creek, with the addition of a 12'8" Shared Use Bike/Pedestrian Path -- PROJECT COMPLETED NOVEMBER 2011.
      • Project Details
         
  • PROJECT:  NAVY ON-CAMPUS PROJECTS / TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
    • AGENCY:  U.S. NAVY.  Coordinating agencies include MDOT, SHA, MCDOT, MNCPPC, NCPC.
    • FUNDING:  Fully funded in federal BRAC budget
    • SCOPE OF WORK:
      • Traffic flow Improvements at gates: two on Rockville Pike and three on Jones Bridge Road  (completed);
      • On-campus roadway and intersection improvements (ongoing);
      • Three additional parking garages for staff, patients and visitors. (completed)
      • Transit and car pool incentives for NSAB/WRNMMC personnel. (ongoing)
         
  • PROJECT:  COMMUTER BUS ENHANCEMENTS
    • AGENCIES:  Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), MCDOT and WMATA.
    • SCOPE OF WORK:
      • MTA has established three new express bus routes on the ICC, connecting the Medical Center and Shady Grove Metro Stations to BWI and Fort Meade.  More routes are planned when the ICC is completed to Laurel.
      • MCDOT and WMATA are studying reallocation of bus resources to Medical Center  based on increased demand.


Please report any bad links.