Commute Concerns

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is urging motorists in Maryland’s Washington suburban area to use Metro for the morning rush hour on Monday, July 2.

“This is a very serious situation and drivers need to be patient and allow extra time to commute in the morning as many traffic signals may still be without power,” said SHA Administrator Melinda Peters. “At a signaled intersection where traffic lights are not operating it is imperative to treat it as a four-way stop, but remain extra cautious of other drivers that may think they have the right-of-way.”

Citizens who need to drive should leave early, plan on extra commute time and be patient as traffic delays are expected. In Montgomery County alone, there are more than 400 traffic signals that are without power and several roads blocked with fallen trees. Statewide a handful of roads remain blocked due to fallen trees and tree limbs.

SHA is advising motorists to curtail traveling if possible to enable highway crews and utility companies to restore roads and service to customers. If travel is necessary use extreme caution as many traffic signals and highway lighting systems are without power and not operational. Approach intersections cautiously and remember to treat intersections without power as a four-way stop, using extreme caution to mainline traffic and checking twice before proceeding.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, July 01, here is the listing of roads closed:

Montgomery County

East and westbound MD 109 at Barnesville Road; Southbound MD 185 between Denfeld Avenue and Decatur Avenue; and North and southbound MD 187 at Battery Lane.

Prince Georges County

East and westbound MD 193 at US 50; and
East and westbound MD 410 between 64th Avenue and 63rd Avenue.

Charles County
Northbound MD 224 at Green Manor Drive; and East and westbound MD 227 between Ray Drive and Foxburrow Place.

SHA crews in Prince George’s, Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties will report to assist in making sure that traffic is maintained at darkened intersections or closed roadways. SHA is assisting the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) with debris removal and will assist as needed with local jurisdictions at busy intersections.

Motorists are encouraged to use 511 for up-to-the-minute travel information. Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information! Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org for current travel advisories and temporary and long-term lane closures for highway maintenance or construction work.

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