Normal Service Resumes at Three Stations Between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights
Pavement Markings Removed and On-Street Parking Restored… Improving Commuter Traffic Flow
As summer maintenance work on a section of the Washington Metro (DC Metrorail) Red Line has concluded and stations have reopened, removal operations have begun for the temporary bus-only lanes.
On the 8th, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) announced that following the resumption of regular service at three Metro Red Line stations right after the Labor Day holiday, it had begun removing the temporary bus-only lanes on Maryland Route 355 (MD 355) connecting North Bethesda to Friendship Heights.
This operation involves removing road markings and signage along approximately 7.5 lane-miles that had been designated to operate free shuttle buses replacing train service during the construction period. Transportation authorities are conducting the work overnight to minimize disruption to residents, with completion scheduled for this Friday.
As soon as the removal of the bus lanes is completed, the area's original on-street parking will also be sequentially restored. In some areas, including downtown Bethesda, parking meters are currently bagged, but parking will be permitted again once lane repainting is finished.
A local transportation official stated, "While the removal of pavement markings is currently underway, all travel lanes in the corridor have already been reopened to general traffic, significantly easing traffic flow for commuters after the holiday."