This design-build project provides for right-of-way negotiations, utility relocations, and the design and construction of a multi-modal grade separated connection between the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) and the Medical Center Metrorail station. The project consists of two major elements: (1) a shallow pedestrian and bicycle underpass below MD 355/Rockville Pike just south of the South Wood Road/South Drive intersection; access to the underpass will be provided by elevators, escalators and stairs; and (2) a bank of three high-speed elevators on the eastern side of MD 355 that will provide a direct connection from the WRNMMC to the existing Metro station mezzanine, about 120 feet below the elevation of MD 355. Canopies will cover the stairs and escalators. The project also includes extension of the southbound MD 355 left turn lane in the existing median to provide additional queuing for vehicles turning into the WRNMC hospital entrance at South Wood Road; expansion of the curb radius at the northwestern corner of MD 355/South Drive to improve bus access to the Metrorail station; and stormwater management. The scope of the work is included in the NEPA document prepared by the County Department of Transportation (DOT) and approved by the Federal Highway Administration. This project also provides for the construction of the MD 355 and Jones Bridge Road/Center Drive (BRAC) intersection improvements, which are intended to increase the capacity and operations of the intersection to support the mission of the new WRNMMC. The westbound lanes of Jones Bridge Road will have modified lane configurations to provide a double left-turn lane onto southbound MD 355. Eastbound Center Drive will be widened to the south to provide an exclusive left-turn lane onto northbound MD 355. A dynamic lane control will be implemented between Wood Road/South Drive and Jones Bridge Road/Center Drive. Pedestrian safety improvements include upgrading the intersections and sidewalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Improvements and connections to existing hiker/biker trails are also included with this project. Other improvements include reconstruction of traffic signals and improved drainage facilities.

This project is pending closeout.

This project is needed to improve the mobility, traffic operations, and safety for all facility users within the project area by reducing existing conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles. Currently, transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists crossing MD 355 between WRNMMC, the Medical Center Metrorail station, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) must compete for traffic signal time and space with very high traffic volumes along the 6 lanes of MD 355 and with the traffic turning to and from South Wood Road and from South Drive onto MD 355. With the implementation of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC), the existing conflicts will increase as the number of visitors to the Hospital is expected to double from the current 500,000 visitors per year to 1,000,000 visitors per year. It is also expected that a majority of visitors will rely on public transportation which requires them to cross MD 355 since parking availability at the site has been significantly reduced. The MD 355 and Jones Bridge Road intersection improvements are needed to improve the capacity and operations of the intersection to support the mission of the new WRNMMC and provide safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities. To reduce disruption and improve coordination, the County will perform the intersection improvements and will be fully reimbursed by the State Highway Administration.

This project will be constructed through a design-build contract, where a single contractor will perform both design and construction of the project, resulting in cost and time savings compared to design-bid-build contracts. The project will help the County achieve its Vision Zero goals to reduce deaths and serious injuries on County Roadways to zero by 2030.

This project is funded entirely with Federal Aid and State Aid. Preliminary design and environmental analysis (NEPA Study) funding was included in the State Transportation Participation project (500722) in the amount of $880,000. The additional FY13 appropriation in the amount of $40 million is for a competitive Federal Grant under the U.S. Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA). The SHA will provide reimbursement for the MD 355/Jones Bridge Road intersection improvements. In FY16, $36 million in additional Federal Aid applied to the project. In FY18, $12,619,000 in Federal Aid was accelerated from FY19,

A pedestrian impact analysis has been completed for this project. The County Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.

Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Department of Planning/Maryland Historical Trust, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Federal Highway Administration, Naval Support Activity Bethesda, National Institutes of Health