MCDOT Announces Excavation Blasting At The Medical Center Metro Station

From MCDOT: This is an advance notice about blasting related to the Crossing Project at the Medical Center Metro Station that is currently anticipated to begin the week of July 17. The first test blast will take place on or about Monday, July 17, weather permitting.

· TEST BLASTS: Controlled test blasts will begin the week of July 17, weather permitting. There will be three test blasts, one blast per day. We anticipate test blasts to take place between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Specific test blast dates are not yet confirmed.

· LONG-TERM BLASTING SCHEDULE: When the tests have been concluded, blasting through mid-2018 will occur up to 4-5 times per week (2-3 per week for the elevator shaft, 4-5 per week for the underground tunnel connecting the elevator to the Metrorail mezzanine).

· NO RUSH HOUR BLASTING: Blasting won’t occur during peak traffic hours (between 5:30 and 9:30 AM, and 3:30 and 7:30 PM), but could take place during non-peak hours in the daytime or during overnight hours. Advance notice of nighttime blasting will be provided.

· NO WEEKEND BLASTING PLANNED: No weekend blasting is currently planned, but may be necessary under special circumstances. Advance notice of weekend blasting will be provided if necessary.

· MINIMAL VIBRATIONS: Very minimal ground vibrations may be felt by some persons.

· TRAFFIC CLOSURES FOR BLASTING: It is anticipated that intermittent traffic closures will only be necessary for the initial 4-5 weeks of blasting. The need for further traffic closures will be closely monitored during this 4-5 week period. Advance notice will be provided if it is necessary to continue the traffic closures beyond the 4-5 week period following the start of blasting.

· BLAST WARNING HORNS AND TRAFFIC CONTROL:

o There will be 5 long signals 5 minutes before the blast, and 10 short signals 1 minute before the blast.

o It is anticipated that only individuals in the project vicinity will hear blast warning horns.

o 5-10 minutes prior to blast, vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be stopped along Rockville Pike, between Jones Bridge Road and South Wood Drive (Navy Gate #2).

o An “All Clear” short horn signal will sound after blasting.

o 1 minute after blast, normal traffic resumes.

This blasting is part of the ongoing construction of the Crossing Project at the Medical Center Metro Station, which will establish a shallow pedestrian underpass between NIH and Walter Reed, and deep elevators on the Navy side of MD 355 to the Metrorail mezzanine. Construction of the Crossing Project is anticipated through mid-2021.

The area of Rockville Pike near the Medical Center Metro Station, NIH and Walter Reed is a construction zone. Please pay attention to all signs, and drive, walk or bike carefully through the area.

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