County Breaks Ground For Important East-West Transportation Link

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Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Edgar Gonzalez, 240-777-7220

For Immediate Release (May 25, 2000)

COUNTY BREAKS GROUND FOR IMPORTANT
EAST-WEST TRANSPORTATION LINK

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today broke ground for the three-mile extension of Norbeck Road from Layhill Road to the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Spencerville Road.

"The extension of Norbeck Road will serve as an important cross-County, east-west link that will make a real difference in relieving traffic congestion," said Duncan. "However, no one should be confused. This extension, while helpful, is not a substitute for the ICC."

Construction of the $27 million Norbeck extension will take three years. When completed, Norbeck will be a four lane divided road between Layhill Road and Norwood Road, and a two lane roadway between Norwood Road and New Hampshire Avenue. Additional turning lanes will be provided at the Layhill Road, Norwood Road, and New Hampshire Avenue intersections.

Duncan revived the road project in 1995 after the County Council significantly cut funding for it the previous year. In fact, the Norbeck Road extension project was one of Duncan's first major transportation initiatives after taking office in 1994.

The project design includes many special features to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts, to enhance recreation, and to beautify the roadway. Special construction techniques developed by environmental consultants will be employed to control sediment and reduce runoff of pollutants and sediment into streams. Stream bank stabilization efforts will prevent erosion. Twelve stormwater management ponds will be employed to preserve stream water quality and control water flow through streams.

Extensive stream restoration efforts are planned to preserve aquatic habitats through bio-sensitive stream improvements, such as providing fish ladders and preserving stream water temperature. Installation of special wildlife migration passages and road reflectors should give deer and other animals a safe alternative to crossing the road. Other measures to enhance the environment include wetland mitigation and an extensive program of reforestation following construction.

"This project incorporates the latest environmentally-sensitive design elements to ensure that our precious natural resources are protected," said Duncan. "We have worked hard in partnership with the community to make this road a good neighbor - one that is safe, protects the environment and preserves aesthetics."

A new bridge at the intersection of Norbeck and Norwood Roads at the Northwest Branch crossing has been designed with sufficient clearance to accommodate an equestrian trail, as designated in the County's Master Plan. To build the bridge, Norwood Road will be raised twenty feet, requiring the closing of the road for about eleven months starting July 2001. To avoid the temporary closing of Norwood Road, alternative routes were evaluated. However, the impact of other alignments were deemed to be greater than the road closing because it would have affected existing homes to the north and critical wetlands to the south.

Other project features consist of an eight-foot wide bikeway along the full length of the roadway; streetlighting at intersections; reforestation, and wetland replacement.

"This kind of project offers traffic relief now - not 10 or 20 years from now," said County Council President Michael Subin. "It's just part of our balanced approach of road and intersection improvements and mass transit enhancements."

Extensive public contact and input led to design improvements that will result in more extensive landscaping, more tree plantings, and easier traffic access around the construction site.

"I think this project will set an important standard for design and construction in environmentally sensitive locations," said Albert J. Genetti, Jr., director of Montgomery County's Department of Public Works and Transportation. "We have worked very hard to meet and exceed all Federal, state and local environmental standards and regulations, while safeguarding the quality of life for nearby residents."

The Department of Public Works and Transportation will provide advance notification of all impending traffic changes through the use of variable message signs in the area, through the County's Advanced Traffic Management System traffic updates on Cable Channel 55, and through the Department's website at www.dpwt.com. In addition, newsletters providing the latest updates are mailed to residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity.

Richard F. Kline, Inc. of Frederick, Maryland won the $17.4 million construction contract. The Wilson T. Ballard Co. designed the road.

For more information on the project, contact Edgar Gonzalez, Chief, Engineering Services Division, Department of Public Works and Transportation, at 240-777-7220.

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