We were wrong. That’s what the Maryland State Highway Administration is saying about a new multimillion-dollar ramp that was supposed to help improve traffic flow. Instead, the ramp from the Inner Loop of the Beltway to southbound Route 5/Branch Avenue in Prince George's County has actually been creating backups.

Now, SHA says it is making improvements to the ramp.

For the past week, both the Inner and Outer Loop ramps to southbound Branch Avenue merged into one lane prior to getting onto Branch Avenue.

Beginning today, both ramps will have their own lane extending onto southbound Branch Avenue. All lanes will continue beyond the end of the ramp for about half a mile, where the outside lane will drop off and merge near Linda Lane.

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SHA will also reduce southbound Branch Avenue from three through lanes to two, to allow for the extra ramp lane to exit.

Road crews say they are confident the fix will improve the traffic situation in that area.

DULLES METRORAIL WORK

The Virginia Department of Transportation has some pretty significant utility work associated with the Dulles Rail project this week. Here’s what to watch out for:

At Route 267/Dulles Toll Road, night work will takes place Wednesday through August 18 between midnight and 5 a.m.

There will be ramp closures from eastbound Route 7/Leesburg Pike, to eastbound Route 267/Dulles Toll Road.

Also, the service road adjacent to westbound Route 7, from Spring Hill Road to Westpark Drive, will be closed from Wednesday through August 19.

Message boards will direct drivers through the area.