Motorists on Interstate 270 could start seeing lane closures next week as construction crews begin resurfacing and restriping a highway spur that leads to the Beltway.
The work marks the beginning of a $100 million project to ease traffic backups on the roadway, according to state transportation officials.
“This is the first step in a major project to break daily gridlock,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn said in a prepared statement.
The initial phase of the effort involves surfacing improvements on the section of I-270 that connects with the outer loop of the Beltway.
The project, which is expected to wrap up late in the fall, will also eliminate a left lane drop where I-270 feeds into I-495 and provide three lanes along the I-270 spur, a press release stated. Workers will change the signage along this road section to reflect the new lane configuration.
Crews are allowed to work on the Beltway’s outer loop Sunday through Thursday nights. Officials say single-lane closures are possible starting at 9 p.m., and drivers might encounter double- or triple-lane closures beginning at 11 p.m. All lanes will be open again by 5 a.m.
On southbound I-270, motorists could see single-lane closures from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and double lane closures later in the evening. Workers will reopen the lanes by 5 a.m., in time for morning commuters, a press release stated.
The release also reported that single-lane closures have been scheduled for southbound I-270 on weekends between 5 and 10 a.m.
Bethany Rodgers can be reached at bethany.rodgers@bethesdda-remix.newspackstaging.com.