Maryland MDOT SHA Begins Project to Improve Safety for Bicyclists on Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has started a project to significantly improve safety for bicyclists and motorists on nearly two miles of MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) in North Bethesda. The improvements on MD 187, between south of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Nicholson Lane, will convert one travel lane in each direction to add buffered bicycle lanes and the installation of flex posts to outline the new bicycle lanes.

The new buffered bike lane will include green pavement markings as well.

The safety improvements are part of the resurfacing project that began earlier this month. The overall project will be complete by the end of the year, weather permitting.

In addition to the new buffered bike lanes, other changes underway on MD 187 include:

• Installation of high visibility or Continental crosswalk markings.
• Reduction of the number of travel lanes from three lanes to two lanes in each direction.
• Narrowing the remaining 11-foot travel lanes to 10.5 and 10 feet.
• Resurfacing and restriping of the roadway.

Motorists can expect single-lane closures on MD 187 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and multiple lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday nights through Friday mornings. Motorists will be guided through the work zone with cones, barrels and arrow boards. With approximately 40,000 vehicles per day use the road, drivers should plan extra commuting time during construction.​​

For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to Project Portal. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to md511.maryland.gov.​