This project provides for the replacement of the existing Dennis Avenue Bridge M-0194 over a tributary to Sligo Creek. The existing bridge, built in 1961, is a single span 30' structure composed of prestressed concrete voided slab beams carrying a 24' roadway, two 6' shoulders, and two 4'-8" sidewalks. The proposed replacement bridge will be a 80' overall span three-cell precast concrete arch culvert carrying a 22' roadway, two 5' bicycle compatible shoulders, two 2' striped buffers, a 13' shared-use path on the north side and a 7' sidewalk on the south side, for a total clear bridge width of 56'. The project includes utility relocations and approach roadway work at each end of the bridge as necessary to tie into the existing roadway and sidewalks. The bridge will be closed to traffic during construction. Accelerated bridge construction techniques will be utilized to minimize the disruption to the traveling public and local community.

The roadway Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 14,000 vehicles per day.

The proposed replacement work will mitigate the frequent flooding of five residential properties and local streets upstream of the bridge; mitigate occasional roadway flooding on Dennis Avenue that causes significant traffic delays; and eliminate annual maintenance repairs required for this deteriorating structure. The existing bridge is rapidly deteriorating and is nearing the end of its estimated service life.

The December 2018 Technical Update to the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways designates Dennis Avenue as Minor Arterial Road (MA-17) with a minimum right-of-way of 80'. The December 2018 Montgomery County Bicycle Master Plan recommends a sidepath (shared use path) on the north side. Streetlights, crosswalks, sidewalk ramps, bikeways, and other pertinent issues are being considered in the design of the project to ensure pedestrian safety.

The design costs for this project are covered in the Bridge Design Project (No. 509132). The project is eligible for 80 percent federal aid. The Intergovernmental funds are for WSSC Water relocations.

A pedestrian impact analysis has been completed for this project.

Federal Highway Administration - Federal Aid Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program, Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services, Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery County Department of Police, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Montgomery County Ride On, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Utilities, and Wheaton Regional Dam Flooding Mitigation (CIP Project #801710), and WSSC Water