Takoma Park Community Center & Library parking lot resurfacing

The rear parking lot at the Takoma Park Community Center and Library at 7500 Maple Avenue is being resurfaced this week. This work is expected to take approximately 3-5 days, weather permitting. During construction, vehicle access to the rear lot will remain available, with traffic entering and exiting through the Philadelphia Avenue entrance. Vehicle access to Grant Avenue will be periodically disrupted. Pedestrian access from Philadelphia Avenue may also be temporarily affected; a detour will be in place during these times.

The contractor has been advised of student pick-up and drop-off times. Parking will be disrupted and unavailable at times, and vehicle passage through the rear parking lot will be disrupted periodically.

Purple Line-related Fenton Street closures in downtown Silver Spring (Photos)

Purple Line construction has created a traffic and business owner nightmare on Fenton Street in the vicinity of Downtown Silver Spring and Ellsworth Place mall. Vehicular access is entirely cut off or severely limited between Roeder Road and Bonifant Street. There is an unexplained, massive pile of gravel in the intersection of Fenton and Wayne Avenue. The temporary closure of that intersection has been extended to about September 5, 2025, due to "unforeseen utility conflicts." 

Watch for Wayne Avenue lane closures near Sligo Creek Parkway next week

Watch for temporary lane closures on Wayne Avenue near its intersection with Sligo Creek Parkway next week. On or about Monday, July 28, 2025 through Thursday, July 31, Purple Line crews will implement extended-hour lane closures. Crews will use flaggers at the Wayne Avenue and Sligo Creek Parkway intersection to facilitate crane movement and girder placement at the Sligo Creek bridge. Lane closures and flagging may take place from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. on each of the closure dates. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. Please follow posted signage and directions from flaggers in the construction zone. 

Purple Line-related turn limits ahead on Springvale Rd. in Silver Spring

Drivers on Springvale Road in Silver Spring approaching the intersection with Wayne Avenue will be limited to right turns onto Wayne only for nearly all of July 2025. Beginning on or about July 7, a Purple Line construction crew will be establishing a work zone in the center of the intersection, to facilitate installation of Purple Line light rail trackage and related utilities. 

The turn restrictions are expected to last four weeks. Pedestrian access will be maintained during this time. Watch for signage and flagmen when approaching the intersection this month.

Fidler Lane closed at Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring

Fidler Lane is closed at Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. It appears some work is being done around the historic Verizon/C&P Telephone building at 8670 Georgia Avenue. The building was the focus of a major downtown power outage early last month. Part of Fidler is fenced off. Follow the detour signs.

Temporary closure of NB Dale Dr. at Wayne Ave. in Silver Spring starting April 8

A temporary closure of northbound Dale Drive at Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring will begin on or about Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The closure is anticipated to continue through April 11. It is necessary to allow utility work related to the Purple Line to be completed. Watch for directional signage in the area during the closure.

Purple Line detour for Pershing Dr. in Silver Spring to begin March 24

Access to Pershing Drive from Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring will be blocked for about a month, beginning on or about March 24, 2025, the Maryland Transit Administration announced. The closure is necessary to complete track installation for the future Purple Line light rail system. During the closure, trash trucks and vehicles using private parking will have access from Wayne Avenue. Delivery trucks will be directed to dedicated loading zones on Bonifant, and on Georgia Avenue.

Watch for flagmen, and be prepared to follow their directions during the closure. Work will proceed on weekdays, and weekends as needed. The Pershing-Bonifant closure is anticipated to last for about four weeks. Should inclement weather occur, the reopening could be postponed.

Maryland to open new I-95 Express Toll Lanes ahead of holiday travel

The Maryland Transportation Authority announced that it will open a new stretch of Express Toll Lanes on northbound I-95 tomorrow, Wednesday, December 18, 2024. A variable toll charged to drivers who use the lanes will provide a way around traffic congestion, which is expected to be heavy around next week's Christmas and Chanukah holidays. The new Express Toll Lanes run for 6.5 miles along the northbound side of the interstate between White Marsh Boulevard (MD 43) and Mountain Road (MD 152).

Completed Express Toll Lanes all the way to MD 24 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway), along with new ramps connecting I-695 to the northbound ETL, are expected to open to traffic by the end of 2027. The first section of ETL opened in 2014. MDTA recommends obtaining an E-ZPass, to save up to 77% over toll charges you might otherwise receive via Pay-by-Plate or video tolling.

“The northbound I-95 Express Toll Lanes extension project provides travelers with a more reliable travel experience while easing congestion on our highways,” MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner said in a statement. “Through innovation and safety, this project represents our commitment to modernize Maryland’s infrastructure and enhance mobility options.”

Turn restrictions ahead on University Blvd. in Takoma-Langley area this month

Track installation activity for the Purple Line on University Boulvard E. continues to ramp up as the holidays approach. Two new turn restrictions will be implemented to accommodate the work later this month. On or about December 17, 2024, north and southbound traffic on West Park Drive will be limited to right turns only at the intersection with University Boulevard (MD 193) for approximately five weeks. And beginning on or about December 20, 2024, north and southbound traffic on Carroll Avenue will be limited to right turns only at the intersection with University, also for approximately five weeks. 

Purple Line traffic shift on MD-193 in Takoma Park set for December 9

A Purple Line-related traffic shift on University Boulevard E. in Takoma Park is scheduled to begin on or about December 9, 2024. Traffic will shift to the outer lanes of University between Carroll Avenue and 14th Avenue, leaving two lanes operating in each direction. The shift will allow creation of a Purple Line work zone in the center of the roadway, for the purpose of track installation for the future light rail line. 

Work may take place between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM on weekdays, and weekends, as needed. Watch for signage and flagmen when traveling through the work zone.

Takoma Park Folk Festival parking restrictions for this Sunday, Sept. 8

Motorists in the vicinity of the Takoma Park Folk Festival this Sunday, September 8, 2024, are asked to drive cautiously, as pedestrian traffic is expected to be heavy. The festival is being held at Takoma Park Middle School at 7611 Piney Branch Road from 10:45 AM to 6:00 PM Sunday. There is no parking on Piney Branch Road, and there will be no parking on Grant Avenue from Piney Branch to Holly Avenue. A very limited number of handicapped spaces will be available at the school, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are driving to the festival, you are encouraged to utilize the two shuttle buses that will be operating for festival-goers.

One bus will be available at the Montgomery College TPSS East Garage, at the corner of Fenton Street and King Street, one block south from the signal at the intersection of Philadelphia Avenue and Fenton Street. The entrance is on King Street and it will be free to park in the garage. A free shuttle bus will board and discharge at the beginning of the parking lane in front of the Extra Space storage business, which is adjacent to the garage at 7722 Fenton Street. The shuttle will run from 9:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A free shuttle will also be available from the Takoma Metro station Kiss and Ride parking lot. 

Purple Line-related turn restriction in Long Branch area scheduled for October

Another temporary traffic pattern change to report that's related to Purple Line construction, this time in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring. On or about October 1, 2024, left turns from Barron Street onto Piney Branch Road will be temporarily prohibited. The restriction will last for approximately one month, while crews install trackage for the light rail line down the center of Piney Branch. Drivers are advised to take Domer Avenue to Flower Avenue to travel west on Piney Branch Road, and to follow all on-site signage while the turn restriction is in place.

Segment of Sligo Creek Parkway to temporarily close on September 16

A portion of Sligo Creek Parkway in Silver Spring will temporarily close for about two months, beginning on or about September 16, 2024. The segment of the parkway in question is between Wayne Avenue and Schuyler Road. During the closure, Wayne Avenue will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction in this vicinity. The road closure is related to Purple Line track placement, and road reconstruction. Consult the map above for detour and traffic pattern information. Drivers are asked to follow detour signage in the area during the closure.

Spring Street bridge to close June 1 in Silver Spring

The Spring Street bridge over the railroad tracks, located between 16th Street and 2nd Avenue in downtown Silver Spring, will close through the end of the year starting on or about June 1, 2024. A new bridge is being constructed. Follow the posted signage, and use the detour outlined on the map above. 

New entrance for Long Branch Community Center

New entrance from Piney Branch Road

A new entrance to the Long Branch Community Center at 8700 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring has been completed. On or about April 15, 2024, Purple Line contractors will close the existing entrance, and the new entrance will be the permanent access point for vehicles and pedestrians. The new entrance is designed to align with the traffic signalized intersection at Barron Street. Note that Barron Street will continue to be one-way northbound between Gilbert Place and Piney Branch Road.

Montgomery County police to conduct saturation patrols all St. Patrick's Day weekend

Montgomery County police will be conducting saturation patrols across the jurisdiction this weekend, in an attempt to deter and catch drunk drivers. Almost 50% of traffic-related deaths on St. Patrick's Day weekend historically have been caused by people driving while intoxicated, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Deployment of the full Alcohol Initiatives Unit, and overtime pay for the extra officers on the streets this weekend, are being partially-funded by grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. Joining County officers on patrol this weekend will be cruisers from the Maryland State Police - Rockville Barrack N, the Maryland Transportation Authority police, the County’s Sheriff’s Department, and the Maryland-National Capital Park police.

“If you plan to drink, do not drive,” Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said in a statement. “Our officers will be conducting saturation patrols throughout the County and arresting intoxicated drivers. The tragedy that occurs when people get behind the wheel intoxicated is 100 percent preventable.”

County officials are urging those who plan to drink, and do not already have a plan to safely return home, to utilize the SoberRide program. The free ride-home program is offered through the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) in partnership with Lyft. Promotional codes for Lyft will be posted online at 11:00 AM on Sunday, March 17, on SoberRide.com. The codes are valid for up to $15-off on one ride home taken in Lyft’s Washington, D.C., coverage area from noon on Sunday, March 17, until midnight on Monday, March 18. The number of codes is limited, and participants must be 21 or older. Officials also suggest using the County's Ride On bus service.

“There are ample ride services that will get you home safety,” County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin said. “If you are choosing to celebrate with alcohol this St. Patrick’s Day, plan out your ride home ahead of time to keep our shared roadways safe for everyone.”

Purple Line work requires month-long lane closure on NB Carroll Avenue at University Boulevard

Purple Line light rail-related work will require a month-long lane closure on Carroll Avenue at its intersection with University Boulevard E. starting March 4, 2024. The right-turn lane on northbound Carroll Avenue will be closed during that period, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and on nights and weekends when necessary. You will still be able to turn right onto University, but anticipate brief delays, and watch for signage and any instructions from flagmen. The lane closure is necessary as workers build new curbs and pedestrian islands, and repave the roadway, the Maryland Transit Administration said in a statement.

Tree, power lines fall on Dale Drive in Silver Spring

A large tree has fallen on Dale Drive near Grace Church Road in Silver Spring. Dale Drive is temporarily closed between Crosby Road and Woodland Drive. Power lines were brought down by the tree, resulting in a power outage in the Montgomery Hills/Forest Glen area that also impacted the Forest Glen Metro station. Several commuters stuck in an elevator at the station have been rescued without injury, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer.

Takoma Park street closure scheduled for February 22, 2023

A street closure has been scheduled for tree removal on February 22, 2023 in the 1100 block of Lancaster Road in Takoma Park. Titan Tree Care will be removing a dead tree from a residential property there. Traffic controls will be in place between 1103 and 1109 Lancaster. A crane will need to park in the street in that vicinity, to assist with the tree removal.

Part of Talbot Avenue to close in Lyttonsville next week

A noisy few months are ahead for some residents of Lyttonsville. Starting on or about December 19, 2022, Talbot Avenue will be closed between Michigan Avenue and Lanier Drive. The closure is expected to last for four months, as a crew restores the roadway from Purple Line-related work. Local residents will still be allowed to access the street, but there will be some street parking restrictions. Work will be performed between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM weekdays and weekends as needed, and weather permitting. The roadway reconstruction will include installation of new curbs, sidewalks, and residential driveway aprons.