The closure of one of Bethesda's busiest thoroughfares has been delayed by a a few days, but plans to close Woodmont Avenue for the better part of two years is still on track.

Continue reading

Woodmont Avenue was slated to be shut down on Tuesday between Bethesda Avenue and Miller Avenue, but the closure has been delayed to this Friday, Sept. 7, at 9 p.m.

Several projects and activities, including the implementation of several new traffic and pedestrian signals, crosswalks and road closure barricades, will coincide with the official closure.

Bethesda Row is one of the most popular destinations in our area for shopping, dining and working. And the intersection of Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues sits at the epicenter of the neighborhood.

The closure will mean drivers can no longer use Woodmont Avenue to get to Wisconsin Avenue.

"It's going to make it harder for me to get out of Bethesda and make it up to Germantown," says Diana Todman of Germantown.

Vace's Italian Deli has been serving the community for 35 years. It sits right in the center of the closures.

"It's going to be a hassle for them to find a way in and out, hopefully it doesn't stop our loyal customers from coming," says Diana Calcagno, Vace's manager.

The closures are necessary for construction of two high rises that are underway here on what used to be one of the biggest parking lots in the area.

"You drive around in circles there's really nowhere to park. Especially with little kids it's difficult," says Shannon Zlotnik of Potomac.

Some tell ABC7 they'll still come to Bethesda Row despite the inconvenience, but others say they won't come as often.

Until construction is completed, Montgomery County has increased the Circulator buses in the area and converted about 100 long-term parking spaces to hourly spaces.

But this popular alternate route from Old Georgetown Road to Wisconsin Avenue won't be an option.