Carroll Avenue Bridge Over Sligo Creek Closed for Reconstruction

TAKOMA PARK, MD — The Maryland Department of Transportation on Monday morning closed the Carroll Avenue bridge over Sligo Creek for a reconstruction project that could last up to a year and a half, according to state and local officials. The work will include the replacement of the bridge deck, or driving surface, and many other components.

Under the $12 million project, the Transportation Department’s State Highway Administration (SHA) announced that it is closing Carroll Avenue (MD 195) between Jefferson Street and Flower Avenue. The road is expected to reopen by July 2017.

Work on the bridge began last fall, and it includes the complete replacement of the bridge deck, beams, columns above the arches, sidewalks, railings and ornamental lighting, the SHA said. The project extends from Carroll Avenue's intersection at Jefferson Avenue to the entrance of Washington Adventist Hospital. The project also includes constructing new sidewalks along the east side of Carroll Avenue between Old Carroll Avenue and the bridge.

The SHA will use electronic message boards to guide traffic around the detour (see map below). Drivers will be directed to use Old Carroll Avenue, Sligo Creek Parkway, Maple Avenue, Maplewood Avenue and Flower Avenue as detour routes. Washington Adventist Hospital will remain open during the bridge project.

Ride On bus routes 12 and 13 will be changed as a part of the bridge closure, according to Takoma Park officials. Buses traveling in both directions will use Flower, Maplewood, Maple and Lincoln Avenues to return to their normal routing on Carroll Avenue. Riders who typically board in the impacted area of Carroll Avenue should board at the Flower Avenue stops instead.

A pedestrian bridge has been built and is open to the public, allowing pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Sligo Creek during the project, said Ian Chamberlain, the construction manager for Takoma Park, on the city's website.

For commuters who need more information, check out:

• the Carroll Avenue Bridge Construction page on the City of Takoma Park's website;
• the SHA webpage for the bridge project;
• for real-time travel conditions on area roads, the Department of Transportation's 511 Traveler Information page or call 511 with a hands-free device when driving.

Another Detour
A secondary detour will be required on Thursday and Friday, when the portions of the bridge over Sligo Creek Parkway are to be demolished, the SHA announced. The route for that detour will include Old Carroll, Carroll, Lincoln and Maple avenues.

The secondary detour will be required a second time on Aug. 17 and Aug. 18. These dates may change with weather or construction delays.

Image: Aerial photo of Carroll Avenue bridge reconstruction, taken on May 16 (Maryland State Highway Administration)