MCDOT Has Restored Passage After Sink Hole Restricted Access to Homes in Belfast Road Section of Potomac

For Immediate Release: Monday, July 8, 2019

  

At 7:00 p.m. this evening, MCDOT restored passage to the Belfast Road community of Potomac. More than 70 families in this area had direct access to their homes restricted today after heavy rains created a sink hole that cut off the only roadway to their homes. MCDOT has completed temporary repairs to make the homes accessible. Earlier in the day, MCDOT established a shuttle service to take residents to nearby stores and to public transportation.

The overwhelming storms of Monday caused the structural failure of the two-lane road between Laurel Leaf Drive and Whiterim Terrace, just east of MacArthur Boulevard. A stream runs beneath Belfast Road, which led to the failure. A path approximately 10 feet wide was washed away across both lanes. MCDOT was at the scene very quickly to assess the damage and begin temporary repairs that were completed at about 7:00 p.m. MCDOT is coordinating its efforts with local utility companies. A permanent repair will be made later.

Due to the lack of exit points from the neighborhood, MCDOT established a shuttle to take residents to the nearest shopping center for necessities and to public transportation. MCDOT staff went door to door to provide affected residents with information about where to access the shuttle.

Information about the project can be directed MCDOT Highway Services Public Outreach Manager Josh Faust at 240-777-7642.

 

Release ID: 19-111
Media Contact: Maureen McNulty 240-777-7199, Neil Greenberger 240-777-6532