A controversial extended closure of a segment of Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda that was delayed earlier this summer is now back on for July 20, 2026. Water utility WSSC announced today that the portion of Woodmont between Strathmore Street and Wisconsin Avenue will remain closed through early November. The closure was deemed necessary to replace a 54" large valve vault below the street. Vehicular and delivery access will be maintained for the Solaire Bethesda apartments, and the Prenuvo Bethesda medical imaging facility.
Detour signs will be posted to guide drivers around the closure. The blockading of the secondary north-south route through downtown Bethesda will have a significant impact on traffic during July and August, due to the loss of two travel lanes on Wisconsin that are restricted to buses during the closure of three Red Line Metro stations this summer. WSSC notes that the closure could extend beyond early November if the area should experience long periods of disruptive weather.
24 comments:
No explanation of why it is controversial.
I also received a email notice that the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda will be under construction for a water main relocation as part of the Purple Line construction. One of the last utility projects necessary for the light rail. I think it will just block the sidewalk near the construction staging area, staring in or around July 20.
@7:39 It's controversial because it's going to make Bethesda traffic rival that of downtown Mexico City. When the bus-only lanes on Wisconsin Avenue have already claimed one-third the travel capacity along that thoroughfare, blocking entirely the alternate north-south route seems a less than ideal modification. Hence, "controversial." Nobody is suggesting WSSC doesn't need to do the work. We're only pointing out it's going to be Armageddon getting around town.
On a related note, it's a real joy to see the buses, chartered by Metro to replace Redline service through Bethesda, using lanes OTHER than the one reserved exclusively for them. I have seen as many of those yellow charters driving along the two "regular" travel lanes as I have witnessed availing themselves of the exclusive, bus-only space. The other day, stopped at Nicholson and the Pike, I honked at one of the drivers, pointing with my arm out the window to the reserved lane. His reply? Honk back at me and continue rolling along in the regular lane, jamming up traffic even further.
Heckofajob, WMATA.
I totally forgot Mon Ami took over True Food's space
"Controversial"? It's one road. Go around.
What happens to the route of the Bethesda Circulator bus?
It's not just controversial, it's downright Marxist.
Good question
And WSSC will be digging up the streets and sidewalks of East Bethesda over the next couple of years as part of an upgrade plan
It has? Missed that one. Didn't Mon Ami complete a renovation last year(?) at its long-time location around the corner from the Landmark Cinema? Has the restaurant moved from that location?
They've posted detour information online:
"Starting July 20, 2026 the Bethesda Circulator route will be detoured due to WSSC water valve work on Woodmont Avenue between Strathmore Street and Wisconsin Avenue. The Circulator will turn onto Bethesda Avenue and then turn onto Wisconsin Avenue to continue the route. The detour will lead to the temporary closing of the Circulator stop at Woodmont Avenue near Leland Street. The Circulator will resume the usual route when the WSSC work has been completed."
https://www.bethesdatransit.org/bethesda/bethesda-circulator
That area has sketchy water towards the end of that ramen noodles place, I got bloody stools the last 2 times I ate there. They had to close a couple of times due to water issues. Don't know if it was related...
So I just saw and heard 7 MoCo PoPo patrol cars and 2 unmarked SUV's flying down Arlington Rd towards Bradley Blvd direction, what gives? Will we have to read about it in the funny papers tomorrow since we have no scanning access?
Pipe down with the scanner thing, already.
I'm not sure if you're joking or not, but if you actually think this is Marxist to close a road to fix a pipe then you're brain is rotted.
C'mon, man! It was only a joke.
But it's a bad sign about this blog and its commenting community that someone could even suspect that that remark was serious.
Joe Pesci, to the judge, in "My Cousin Vinny": You were *serious* about that?
@8:21, your indifference and apathy towards events in this community is an affliction not universally borne, fortunately. May I call you cumberworld?
Unless you're being sarcastic not water issues. You need to see your doc ASAP.
No Mon Ami Gabi has not taken over True Food's space. Stop relying on AI for your information.
Public access to police radio transmissions is gone. It's not coming back.
Might I suggest, as another topic for your gripery, one of this blog's remaining stand-bys (like, bike lanes; or, glowing blue lights on top of patrol cars)?
Uhh, I don't think it's ramen that does that man. You should go see a doctor.
Your task is to research it and report back here in five days.
The buses are constantly using the two remaining travel lanes from Wisconsin Circle to Bradley. I’m not in downtown Bethesda enough to know if they continue that practice above Bradley, but more than half the buses northbound and about a third southbound stray out of their reserved lane. Dreadful.
2:22 PM Thanks for the PSA! :-)
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