Carroll Avenue Bridge Construction
About Carroll Ave Bridge Construction
The Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) State Highway Administration (SHA) began a major rehabilitation of the MD 195 (Carroll Avenue) Bridge over Sligo Creek and Sligo Creek Parkway in the fall of 2015. Work includes the complete replacement of the bridge deck (driving surface), beams, columns above the arches, sidewalks, railings, and ornamental lighting. The project limits along Carroll Avenue extend from the intersection at Jefferson Avenue to the entrance of the Washington Adventist Hospital. The project also includes constructing new sidewalk along the east side of Carroll Avenue between Old Carroll Avenue and the bridge. Additionally upgrading existing sidewalks and ramps to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, while improving roadway drainage. In the interest of safety, the bridge will be closed and traffic will be detoured during construction.
Current Project Status
As part of the $12 million MD 195 (Carroll Avenue) Bridge rehabilitation over Sligo Creek and Sligo Creek Parkway project, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is closing MD 195 between Jefferson Street and Flower Avenue for one year.
Carroll Avenue (MD 195) is closed to traffic at the Sligo Creek Bridge. The road is expected to reopen by JUNE 14, 2017. SHA will use electronic message boards to guide traffic around the detour. Drivers will be directed to use Old Carroll Avenue, Sligo Creek Parkway, Maple Avenue, Maplewood Avenue and Flower Avenue as detour routes.
During the MD 195 closure, crews will complete a significant part of the bridge arch and structure components. SHA installed a temporary pedestrian bridge to accommodate park users. Early 2017 the pedestrian bridge will be removed and users will be directed across the partially completed bridge. The new pedestrian path will be in the same location as one of the two final sidewalks across the bridge. This will allow necessary storm water work to be completed underneath of the previous pathway.
There will likely be additional work on the weekends due to the accelerated schedule of construction. This work will start as early as week day work with the exception of high volume activities. Those are restricted to a 9 a.m. start time.
More information is available on the Maryland State Highway Administration’s website. For real-time travel conditions on roads in Maryland, check Maryland’s Department of Transportation 511 Traveler Information page or call 511 with a hands-free device when driving.
Looking Ahead
A secondary detour will be required to accommodate road work on the bridge over Sligo Creek Parkway. The route for that secondary detour will include Old Carroll, Carroll, Lincoln and Maple Avenue.
The work will continue forming and pouring the railings or barrier wall.
Walking the pedestrian bridge gives an excellent view of the ongoing work. This work will last for many years so the view is a special one not many people have a chance to see.
Project Lead & Contact Info
Michael Brown
SHA District 3 Area Engineer
State Highway Administration
Phone: 301-513-7300
Email: MBrown6@SHA.State.MD.US
Carroll Ave Bridge Construction Details
Project Info & Timeline
- Target completion date: 2017 – December
- Takoma Park’s role in project: Liaison for residents
- Departments involved: Public Works
Budget & Funding Source
See SHA information page, linked below.
Links & Notes
Ride On bus routes 12 and 13 will be changed as a part of the bridge closure. Buses traveling in both directions will use Flower, Maplewood, Maple, Sligo Creek, and Old Carroll 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.
- SHA information page
- SHA Detour information
- SHA Status
- “Maryland Rehabilitating Picturesque Span” article on the American Society of Civil Engineers website
Takoma Park Traffic Mitigation
Project Lead & Contact Info
Contact Maryland State Highway Administration's project lead:
Michael Brown
SHA District 3 Area Engineer
State Highway Administration
301-513-7300MBrown6@SHA.State.MD.US