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 30-foot span structure composed of pre-stressed concrete voided slabs carrying a 24-foot roadway, two 6-foot shoulders, and two 5'-8" sidewalks. The proposed replacement bridge includes a single 75-foot span structure carrying a 24-foot roadway, two 6-foot shoulders, and two 7-foot sidewalks. The project includes approach roadway work at each end of the bridge as necessary to tie-in to the existing roadway. The bridge and road 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 and the roadway capacity will not change as a result of this project.

The design of the project is expected to finish in the spring of 2021. Land will be purchased in 2021. Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2022 and be completed in summer 2022. Dennis Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic during the summer of 2022.

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 1989 Kensington-Wheaton Master Plan designates Dennis Avenue as Arterial (A-59) with a minimum right-of-way of 80 feet. The County Bikeways Functional Masterplan designates Dennis Avenue as a signed, shared roadway (SR-55). Streetlights, crosswalks, sidewalk ramps, bikeways and other pertinent issues are being considered in the design of the project to ensure pedestrian safety.

A pedestrian impact analysis will be performed during design or is in progress.

Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services, Utilities, Wheaton Regional Dam Flooding Mitigation (CIP Project #801710)