Emergency paving work on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase means multiple lanes will be closed throughout the rest of the week, even during rush hour periods.
The State Highway Administration began a planned resurfacing project of Connecticut Avenue between Chevy Chase Circle and East-West Highway two weeks ago. On Wednesday, officials said crews milled off the top two inches of asphalt and found the road base pavement “to be in an advanced state of deterioration.”
This meant crews had to ditch the asphalt they originally planned to use in favor of a stronger mix to offset the deterioration.
On Tuesday night, crews got to work paving a lane on northbound Connecticut Avenue. The authorization for all-day work meant a huge traffic jam at Western Avenue and Chevy Chase Circle during the Wednesday morning rush hour. Crews must also use two lanes to pave each lane of road.
SHA officials say the rest of the week is going to be just as bad, as the paving work will continue all day (even during rush hour):
Crews expect to complete paving along northbound MD 185 late Thursday and immediately cross over ontosouthbound MD 185 Thursday night or early Friday morning. All six lanes on this section of MD 185 are expected to be paved by Saturday night, weather permitting. With two northbound MD 185 lanes expected to be closed today and tomorrow during the afternoon rush hours and two southbound MD 185 lanes expected to be closed for theFriday morning rush hour, traffic is expected to be severely impacted and motorists should consider MD 355 (Wisconsin Avenue) or other alternate routes.
More than 46,000 vehicles use the 1.5-mile section of Connecticut Avenue each day, according to SHA. The paving project was originally announced at a $2.5 million cost.
Photos via TrafficLand.com
