The intersection of Fenton Street and Wayne Avenue in downtown Silver Spring will be closed until mid-to-late August due to the construction of the Maryland Purple Line.
Several traffic and Ride On bus detours will be implemented in the surrounding area during this time.
Additionally, the intersections of University Boulevard and Lebanon Street near the Takoma-Langley Transit Center and eastbound Wayne Avenue between Manchester Road and the Manchester Place station will be closed.
Ride On bus routes with detours or stop relocations are routes 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 25. Metrobus F4 on Fenton Street will also temporarily detour around the intersection at Wayne Avenue.
During the scheduled closures coinciding with the local school summer break, crews will install light rail tracks, reconstruct sidewalks, and complete stormwater drainage and utility crossings across the intersection of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street.
The work will require a temporary full closure of the Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street intersection to vehicular traffic.
Pedestrian access will not be affected, and access to the Wayne Avenue parking garage and nearby businesses will be provided, according to a press release.
The 16-mile, 21-station Maryland Purple Line light rail project is more than 78 percent complete and scheduled to open in winter 2027.
Construction has caused disruptions to traffic and local businesses, including beloved Mandalay Restaurant & Café and newcomer Café via Roma, which opened last September.
According to Bethesda Magazine, construction has impacted travel along Wayne Avenue for months, with traffic barriers recently closing off the road’s intersection with Dale Drive and disrupting traffic patterns to Sligo Creek Parkway.
Additionally, the reopening of the Spring Street Bridge has been delayed several times due to difficulties with relocating overhead utility lines and complex excavation work at the construction site.
The bridge closed for construction last summer and was initially slated to reopen in 2025, but has now been pushed to reopen in early 2026:
A critical component of the Spring Street Bridge construction is relocation of overhead utilities. This requires coordination with seven utility companies as well as with CSX and WMATA to gain access to areas above the tracks. As CSX freight and MARC Commuter trains approach the area, CSX flaggers must halt construction work so trains can pass safely through the active work zone. Additionally, construction crews are building the bridge foundation which requires extensive excavation to install a new storm water management system approximately 45′ below road elevation, tying into the previous system.
Due to the complex nature of this work, bridge construction is taking longer than originally expected. Montgomery County requires the pedestrian signal crossing on the 16th Street bridge to remain operational. Please contact Montgomery County Department of Transportation for additional information.
The Purple Line is progressing rapidly, and the project is 78.6% complete with 50% of track installed. The Purple Line team recognizes the impact bridge closure has on the local community and appreciates the community’s patience.
Mandalay, which opened a quick-service delivery and takeout location at Ivy City Food Works earlier this month, has experienced a recent surge in orders following an appeal to the community for support.
Owner Joe Myint posted a message to social media on Wednesday thanking the community for the recent surge in business.
“We thank you for all of the orders and support this last week. It has been wonderful and we are grateful. Your continued support throughout the next few months will go a long way towards ensuring that we can stay in Silver Spring to serve you the delicious Burmese food you have loved for so many years.
“Come by, bring friends, introduce new people to the restaurant! Place an order for takeout or delivery to enjoy at home. Don’t forget the Ivy City Food Works location, too. Try some new dishes. Order some old favorites. Let’s make this the summer of Mandalay.”
Photo Courtesy of The Purple Line Project