Generator to run 24-hours-a-day for Purple Line construction in Chevy Chase

Stated site of the proposed generator
at 4200 East-West Highway; note
distance from the actual Georgetown Branch
right-of-way for Purple Line

Purple Line Transit Constructors plans to run a generator around the clock in a residential area of Chevy Chase for three weeks in December. The light rail contractors say the generator placed at 4200 East-West Highway will power a water pump. Purple Line-related new trail construction "requires 24 hour bypass pumping of water," the contractor argues in a filing with Montgomery County.

Coquelin Run continues
through the Columbia Country Club
northeast of the stated generator site

The all-day, all-night generator requires a noise waiver from the County. If the County issues the noise waiver, the generator is scheduled to begin operation on December 2, and power the water pump continuously for three weeks.

Coquelin Run passing under
East-West Highway in the
vicinity of the proposed generator
location

Curiously, the stated site of the generator and pump is a significant distance from the Purple Line Georgetown Branch right-of-way, where it passes under East-West Highway. What is near the pump site is Coquelin Run stream, which flows into Rock Creek further east. None of this makes a whole lot of sense, considering that no trail is being constructed along Coquelin Run. Why would they be pumping water here?

Nighttime noise waiver requested for Apex Building demolition in Bethesda

Carr Properties has requested a nighttime noise waiver from Montgomery County, for the demoltion of the Apex Building at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The demolition team will be using high-reach hydraulic pulverizers and shears between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM on weeknights, and 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM on weekends.

Work will be done at night due to heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic along Wisconsin Avenue. Lane closures may include the center and right southbound lanes of Wisconsin (MD 355). Demolition is now scheduled to begin in late July. A premature closure of the sidewalk and right lane created a dangerous situation for pedestrians, and the public space was recently reopened again.

Another noise waiver requested for Montrose Parkway nighttime work

I haven't heard directly from any residents near Montrose Parkway as to whether or not the nighttime utility work that began there in December has been a disturbance. But another noise waiver has been requested by Whiting-Turner in order to complete the project.

The work hours are supposed to be 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM, and the project is expected to be finished sometime in July. Work on E. Jefferson Street is also covered by the waiver.

NOISY NIGHTS AHEAD ON BETHESDA AVENUE

StonebridgeCarras, developer of the Lot 31 project across from Bethesda Row, has requested a noise waiver from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. The waiver is needed for nighttime installation of electrical utilities under Bethesda Avenue its intersection with Woodmont Avenue.

This utility work will begin around Monday July 7, between the overnight hours of 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM. It is expected to take 5 nights to complete the project. The waiver allows the work to exceed nighttime decibel levels, in order to avoid disruptions to pedestrians and traffic during the daytime hours. Safety is also an issue for pedestrians, according to the DEP.

Downtown residents most affected will be, primarily, in The Seasons. Secondarily, will be residents of Crescent Plaza, Upstairs at Bethesda Row, and the houses within the Sacks neighborhood behind the Lot 31 site.

The Lot 31 project includes The Darcy condominiums, The Flats apartments, and a 900-space public parking garage that is located under both buildings.

OVERNIGHT "SOIL BORING" COULD DISTURB DOWNTOWN BETHESDA RESIDENTS MARCH 4-15 - EXCLUSIVE!

If you live near the Capital Crescent Trail tunnel between Bethesda Row and Waverly Street in downtown Bethesda, there could be some noisy nights ahead in March.

A Baltimore company, E2CR, Inc., plans to perform exploratory soil borings inside the tunnel between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM from March 5-15.  You know, the hours most people are trying to sleep, right?

The company has requested a noise waiver from Montgomery County to perform the work.  If you have questions or complaints about the proposed work, call Steve Martin of the Montgomery County Department of the Environment at 240-777-7746 this week.

No decibel level has been given for the work, so it is unclear just how loud it will be.  Obviously, it is a level that will exceed the nighttime rules.

The work is related to the future construction of the Purple Line light rail line between Bethesda and New Carrollton.  My understanding is that they are doing this at night so that trail users will be unaffected during the day.

Blasting in the day!

Boring in the night!

What will happen next?