The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is moving forward with the design of the I-270 at Watkins Mill Road Interchange Project in Montgomery County. The final design is scheduled to be completed in fall 2015, and construction is expected to begin in 2016. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide an update, including project details and schedule.

SHA appreciates the patience and cooperation of the community and apologizes for any inconvenience. SHA reminds motorists to “Think Orange” when driving through work zones by staying alert and slowing down. Always buckle up, and please drive safely.

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I-270 at Watkins Mill Road Interchange Project

WHERE IS THE PROJECT LOCATED?

SHA IS MOVING FORWARD WITH DESIGN OF THE I-270 WATKINS MILL ROAD INTERCHANGE

The project is located in the northern portion of the City of Gaithersburg. It extends along I-270 from south of Seneca Creek State Park to the existing interchange with MD 124 and along Watkins Mill Road from MD 355 east of I-270 to MD 117 west of I-270. The existing sections of Watkins Mill Road, extending from the interchange to MD 117 on the west side and between the interchange and MD 355 on the east side, have been designed and constructed by a developer and Montgomery County.

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PROJECT DESCRIPTIONThe I-270 at Watkins Mill Road Interchange Project is a breakout project from the I-270/US15 Corridor Study, which extended from I-495 to I-70.

Under the selected alternate from the I-270/US15 Corridor Study, Watkins Mill Road will cross over I-270, between the MD 124 and Middlebrook Road interchanges, approximately 0.66 mile north of the I-270 Bridge over MD 124 and 1.80 miles south of the Middlebrook Road Bridge over I-270. The design consists of a full diamond interchange to minimize right-of-way impacts and allow flexibility in minimizing stream impacts.

The design of the interchange and the ramps associated with the I-270 at Watkins Mill Road Interchange Project will accommodate the ultimate improvements along I-270. As defined in the I-270/US 15 Corridor Study, those improvements, which include the proposed Express Toll Lane (ETL) Interchange, will tie into the improvements designed and constructed by the developers.

The project will extend the existing portions of Watkins Mill Road, providing interstate access to and from Watkins Mill Road and network connections for pedestrians and bicyclists. It will also restore a section of a tributary to Seneca Creek parallel to southbound I-270.

WHY IS THE PROJECT NEEDED?

This project is needed to provide a sufficient level of access and mobility to support economic development efforts in designated growth areas of northern Gaithersburg, as identified in the City of Gaithersburg Master Plan, which was adopted in 1997. The project will help address four areas identified as needing support: planned economic development, roadway capacity, traffic safety, and connectivity between different forms of transportation. By providing improved access between I-270 and the existing transportation network, the I-270-Watkins Mill Road Interchange will provide a direct access point to the developments currently under construction.

PROJECT FUNDING AND SCHEDULEThe design was initiated in 2004 and was on hold until 2012. The project is fully funded for design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. Final design is expected to be complete in fall 2015. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2016, and the interchange is expected to open to traffic by the end of 2018.

Larry Hogan, GovernorBoyd K. Rutherford, Lt. Governor

Pete K. Rahn, Secretary Douglas H. Simmons, Acting Administrator

I-270 at Watkins Mill Road Interchange Project

See Inside for More Details

QUESTIONS?

For additional information on this project, please visit SHA’s website at www.roads.maryland.gov and click on Projects and Studies, SHA Projects Page, Montgomery County, I-270/Watkins Mill Road Extended or use the QR code below.

You may also contact: Mr. Armando Henriquez – Project ManagerMaryland State Highway AdministrationOffice of Highway Development707 N. Calvert Street, Mail Stop C-102Baltimore, Maryland 21202Phone: 410-545-8876Toll-free: 1-888-228-5003Email: ahenriquez@sha.state.md.us

The Maryland Relay Service can assist teletype users at 7-1-1.

Maryland Department of TransportationState Highway AdministrationOffice of Highway DevelopmentMail Stop C-102707 North Calvert StreetBaltimore, Maryland 21202

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LEGENDBRIDGES

RESURFACING

WIDENING/RAMPS

PAVEMENT REMOVAL

STREAM

GRADING

EXISTING ROW

PROPOSED ROW

RETAINING WALLS