Roadwork Continues on East-West Highway

It's been a bit of a bumpy drive on East-West Highway through Riverdale Park this week, while road construction continues spanning from Taylor Road through Auburn Avenue.

David Buck, spokesman for the Maryland State High Administration, said the $1.9 million project, which started in April, would continue through October.

The project, which covers 1.5 miles of East-West Highway from Hyattsville through Lanham, is funded by stimulus money provided by the federal government, according to Buck. It's about 50 percent complete.

"To date we've finished the sidewalks and handicap ramps and we recently finished grinding down the pavement," he said. "We'll be back Tuesday to repave the road."

The employees will not work during the Labor Day weekend.

It'll take two to three weeks to repave the road, Buck said, and that construction will take place at night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

"We know it may be a little noisy, but it's the only way we'll be given enough time to repave the road and for the asphalt to set," he said.

The work should be completed in six weeks as long as there is decent weather.

Buck said some remaining daytime work would be necessary to add guardrails, leaving traffic in the area to one lane from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Although area residents might be disturbed by the noise and the traffic, Buck said motorists will notice the difference when the road is finally paved and local pedestrians will be able to use the sidewalks easily as well.