The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has recently given us the following update about ongoing Rt 1 construction (between College Ave and MD193) and what to expect in the days ahead.
The 1.4-mile project will support current and future development and improve traffic operations and safety for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians along US 1. Progress permitting, all work should be complete by year-end 2023.
The SHA considers US 1 as a major north-south artery and the gateway to the University of Maryland – College Park campus, which is located within the project work limits between College Avenue/Regents Drive and Paint Branch Parkway/Campus Drive.
Pedestrian and bicycle traffic are very heavy along the corridor, especially in the vicinity of campus.
Currently, US 1 between College Avenue and Lakeland Road is a four-lane divided roadway, with a raised median and no shoulders. It is lined with fields, parking lots, and office buildings. US 1 between Lakeland Road and MD 193 is a five-lane undivided roadway with a double left-turn lane movement and no shoulders. The roadway is lined with businesses and residential neighborhoods. The existing sidewalk along US 1 is not continuous.
As part of the construction for this project, US 1 will be widened to provide a four-lane roadway (with 11-foot wide through lanes) with auxiliary lanes (with 10-foot wide turn lanes), 5-foot wide bicycle lanes, and a median with varying widths between 2 feet and 16 feet. Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk will be provided along both sides of US 1 throughout the project limits.
Other improvements include resurfacing, landscaping, drainage system upgrades, stormwater management facilities, new signage and pavement markings, pedestrian lighting, intersection lighting and utility relocation work.
Currently, electricity and gas infrastructure utility relocation work is simultaneously taking place on US 1 within the project limits.
Drivers can expect lane closures in active work zones on the following days and times (weather permitting):
Gas Utility Work (Northbound and Southbound US 1)
•Weekdays, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and up to 24 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday
Electricity Utility Work
•Northbound—Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
•Southbound—Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Once non-utility related construction work begins—and throughout the entire lifetime of the project—intermittent lane closures are possible within the project limits weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Sundays through Thursdays between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Additional lane closures and work times may be needed to expedite all phases of work and keep the project on schedule.
The SHA gave us the following timeline:
Utility Relocation Work…In Progress
Project Advertisement Date..Summer 2019
Notice to Proceed Issued…..Fall 2019
Project Completion……..Year End 2023
(Source: The State Highway Administration)