Montgomery County Department of Transportation Quickly Restores Passage After Sink Hole Restricted Access to Homes in Belfast Road Section of Potomac

For Immediate Release: Monday, July 8, 2019

More than 70 families in the Belfast Road community of Potomac had direct access to their homes restricted today after heavy rains created a sink hole that cut off the only roadway to their neighborhood. However, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) quickly worked to create a temporary repair to make the homes accessible late this afternoon. The department had previously established a shuttle service that was taking 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. MCDOT coordinated its efforts with local utility companies.

MCDOT staff went door to door to provide affected residents with updates on the situation.

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

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Release ID: 19-234
Media Contact: Maureen McNulty 240-777-7199