This project provides for the replacement of the existing Park Valley Road Bridge over Sligo Creek and realignment of the nearby existing Sligo Creek Hiker/Biker Trail. The replacement Park Valley Road Bridge will be a 34 foot single span simply supported prestressed concrete slab beam structure carrying a 26 feet clear roadway, a 5 foot 8 inches wide sidewalk on the south side, and an 8 inches wide curb on the north side for a total clear bridge width of 32 feet 4 inches. An approximately 85 foot long approach roadway and an approximately 85 foot long sidewalk connector will be reconstructed to tie the bridge to the existing roadway and trail. The realignment of the nearby existing hard surface Sligo Creek Hiker/Biker Trail will include a new 12 foot wide, 65 foot long single span simply supported prefabricated steel truss pedestrian bridge over Sligo Creek, plus a new 10 foot wide approximately 213 foot long hard surface trail to tie the new pedestrian bridge to the existing trail, plus reconfiguration of the existing substandard mini circle Park Valley Road/Sligo Creek Parkway intersection to a regular T-intersection with a new crosswalk and a new 6 foot wide refuge median on Park Valley Road for the new trail. A new 5 foot wide, approximately 190 foot long natural surface pedestrian path will be constructed along the existing hard surface trail. Also, a parking lot will be removed at the northwest of the Park Valley Road Bridge.

Upon completion, the Average Daily Traffic [ADT] on the Park Valley Road Bridge will remain under 1,100 vehicles per day.

This project is complete and is awaiting reimbursement from the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The existing Park Valley Road Bridge, built in 1931, is a 30 foot single span structure carrying a 20 foot clear roadway and a 5 foot wide sidewalk on the south side, for a total clear bridge width of 25 feet 9 inches. The 2013 inspection revealed that the concrete deck and abutments are in very poor condition. This bridge is considered structurally deficient. The bridge has posted load limits of 30,000 lb. The trail realignment is necessary to maintain pedestrian/bicycle access during construction of the replacement Park Valley Bridge, improve pedestrian/bicycle safety and accessibility of the Sligo Creek hiker/biker trail in the vicinity of Park Valley Road, and enhance the trail in compliance with ADA requirements.The reconfigured T-intersection will improve traffic safety and provide better access for school buses and fire-rescue apparatus.

Park Valley Road is classified as a secondary residential roadway in the East Silver Spring Master Plan. The road will be closed and vehicular traffic will be detoured during construction. Right-of-way acquisition is not required. The construction will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1: Construct the intersection reconfiguration, new pedestrian bridge and hiker/biker trail realignment. Pedestrian/bicycle access will be maintained through the existing Park Valley Road Bridge. Phase 2: Construct the replacement of the Park Valley Road Bridge and approach roadway pavement. Pedestrian/bicycle access will be maintained through the new pedestrian and hiker/biker trail.

The costs of construction and construction management for the replacement of the Park Valley Road Bridge and associated approach work are eligible for up to 80 percent Federal Aid. The cost of construction and construction management for the realignment of the nearby existing Sligo Creek Hiker/Biker Trail, including the new pedestrian bridge, new trail and reconfiguration of the intersection are eligible for up to 80 percent federal funds by transportation alternatives program. The construction and construction management for the new natural surface pedestrian path will be 100 percent General Obligation Bonds. In FY18, $270,000 in GO Bonds was transferred from the Piney Meetinghouse Road Bridge project (P501522). In FY18, Council approved a supplemental appropriation to add $630,000 in Federal Aid. FY23 funding switch of $337,000 from Federal Aid to Impact Taxes to reflect FY22 actuals.

A pedestrian impact analysis has been completed for this project.

Bridge Design Project CIP 509132, FHWA - Federal Aid Bridge Replacement/Rehabilitation Program, FHWA - Transportation Alternatives Program, Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland-National Capital Prak And Planning Commission, Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services