The project provides for the design and construction of a 2.2 mile long roadway within a minimum 150-foot right-of-way. The work will be constructed in 2 Phases. Phase 1 includes a 4-lane divided roadway (two lanes in each direction) starting at existing Observation Drive near Waters Discovery Lane and continuing north beyond West Old Baltimore Road to the point where it meets the planned extension of Little Seneca Parkway, along with a ten-foot wide shared-use path on the west side and a bike path on the east side to provide Greenway connectivity. Phase 1 will also include the widening of Little Seneca Parkway to four lanes west of MD 355 and construction of its extension west to Observation Drive. A bridge approximately 550 feet in length will be constructed near Waters Discovery Lane, ending at West Old Baltimore Road near the future MTA Comsat Station. A traffic signal will be provided at the West Old Baltimore Road intersection. In Phase 2, between Little Seneca Parkway and existing Observation Drive near Stringtown Road, the scope includes a two-lane roadway, along with an eight-foot wide shared-use path on the west side, with space for the two additional master-planned lanes and a five-foot wide sidewalk on the east side to be built in the future. Traffic signals will be provided at the Shawnee Lane and Little Seneca Parkway intersections.

Final design began in FY22. Land acquisition for Phase 1 will occur in FY25 and FY26, and construction will be completed in FY29. Land acquisition and construction for Phase 2 will occur beyond FY28.

This project is needed to provide a north-south corridor that links the existing Observation Drive to Stringtown Road, providing multi-modal access to a rapidly developing residential and business area between the I-270 and MD 355 corridors. The project improves mobility and safety for local travel and pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular access to residential, employment, commercial and recreational areas. It also provides a facility for implementation by Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) for the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) including two stations. The transitway will be Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and will be located in the median area of Observation Drive.

Land costs are based on preliminary design.

The cost estimate is based on preliminary design only. A more accurate cost estimate will be prepared upon the completion of final design.

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

Maryland Transit Administration, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Verizon, Pepco, Washington Gas, Department of Permitting Services, Department of Environmental Protection; Special Capital Projects Legislation will be proposed by the County Executive.