Important traffic shift in Montgomery County

A major change in the traffic pattern at the junction of Rockville Pike, Montrose Parkway and Randolph Road in North Bethesda is occurring today. Traffic heading west on Randolph Road in the direction of I-270 can now move directly to Montrose Parkway. This is the change that originally was scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 18, but had to be postponed because of the blizzard.

The entire $7.2 million interchange construction project is scheduled to be done in late fall.Here's what you need to know depending on the direction from which you approach the interchange.

Randolph Road
-- Westbound drivers who want to reach Montrose Road will follow westbound Montrose Parkway, then make a quick right onto what is known as "old" Old Georgetown Road, then turn left onto Montrose Road. (You can no longer cross over Rockville Pike (Route 355) to get to Montrose Road.)
-- Westbound drivers who want to reach I-270 or all any other point west will continue under Rockville Pike to westbound Montrose Parkway.
-- Westbound drivers who want to turn onto Rockville Pike will follow westbound Montrose Parkway, make a quick right onto "old" Old Georgetown Road, then another right onto Montrose Road to reach the pike.

Northbound Rockville Pike
Drivers who want to reach westbound Montrose Road will use the new exit ramp to Montrose Parkway/Randolph Road. At the bottom of the ramp, make a left at the new signal onto westbound Montrose Parkway, then a quick right onto "old" Old Georgetown Road and a left onto Montrose Road. (You no longer can turn left from the pike to reach Montrose Road.

Montrose Road
Eastbound drivers who want to turn onto Rockville Pike will continue to follow the existing traffic pattern.