Maryland Route 320
Encyclopedia
Maryland Route 320 is a state highway
in the U.S. state
of Maryland
. Known as Piney Branch Road, the route runs 2.84 mi (4.6 km) from Eastern Avenue
at the Washington, D.C.
border north to Maryland Route 650
in Adelphi
.
. Piney Branch Road continues into Washington, where it underpasses CSX
's Metropolitan Subdivision, MARC
's Brunswick Line
, and the Red Line
of the Washington Metro
about 300 ft (91.4 m) to the southwest of MD 320's southern terminus, then continues on to intersect U.S. Route 29
(Georgia Avenue
) and then turn into 13th Street N.W. Following Eastern Avenue headed southeast leads to Old Town Takoma Park
, the Takoma Park Historic District, and the Takoma
station of the Washington Metro
. Following Eastern Avenue in the northwest direction leads to the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus of Montgomery College
.
MD 320 heads northeast as a two-lane road with a speed limit of 30 mph (48.3 km/h) through a densely-populated residential area in the city of Takoma Park, Maryland
. At Chestnut Avenue, which is former Maryland Route 540, the road veers to the north ahead of the intersection with Maryland Route 410
(Philadelphia Avenue). After crossing MD 410, MD 320 returns to a northeast heading and passes Takoma Park Middle School
, where the road enters Silver Spring
and widens to three lanes with a center turn lane. After passing Sligo Avenue, which was formerly Maryland Route 339, the road enters a small commercial area and enters an acute intersection with Dale Drive, which was formerly Maryland Route 391. MD 320 then descends to Sligo Creek
and intersects Sligo Creek Parkway and the Sligo Creek Trail
.
After crossing Sligo Creek Parkway, MD 320 gains a second lane northbound as it leaves the creek valley, turns east, and enters a commercial area with apartment complexes. The road expands to five lanes with a center turn lane prior to the intersection with Maryland Route 787
(Flower Avenue). After two traffic signals and a nonchalant crossing of Long Branch, the road intersects Maryland Route 193
(University Boulevard). After crossing MD 193, the speed limit increases to 40 mph (64.4 km/h) and the road passes a series of apartment buildings and Quebec Terrace Park as the road goes downhill. On the way down, the road intersects Carroll Avenue, a county-maintained street that links up to Maryland Route 195
. The road enters Prince George's County
immediately before crossing Northwest Branch
and reaching its northern terminus at Maryland Route 650
(New Hampshire Avenue
) in Adelphi
.
) in Silver Spring. The road headed east on Sligo Avenue to its present course, then northeast along the present course to what is now MD 650. The road then followed current MD 650 north to its northern terminus at Colesville Road, which is today the intersection of MD 650 and Lockwood Drive in White Oak
. In 1927, this route was paved from the southern terminus to Carroll Avenue. By 1933, the remainder of the road north to White Oak had been paved. The 1939 Maryland state highway map shows that route as MD 320.
In Takoma Park, the stretch of current road between Chestnut Avenue and Sligo Avenue was paved in 1933. The whole length was paved and was assigned MD 513 by 1939. MD 320 achieved its present configuration in 1955, when MD 320 replaced MD 513 in Takoma Park and MD 650 replaced MD 320 between Adelphi and White Oak.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. Known as Piney Branch Road, the route runs 2.84 mi (4.6 km) from Eastern Avenue
Eastern Avenue (Washington, D.C.)
Eastern Avenue is one of three boundary streets between Washington, D.C., and the state of Maryland. It follows a northwest-to-southeast line, beginning at the intersection of 16th Street NW and Colesville Road...
at the Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
border north to Maryland Route 650
Maryland Route 650
Maryland Route 650 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as New Hampshire Avenue for most of its length, the state highway runs from Eastern Avenue at the Washington, D.C. border north to MD 108 in Etchison...
in Adelphi
Adelphi, Maryland
Adelphi is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 14,998 at the 2000 census...
.
Route description
Maryland Route 320 begins at Eastern AvenueEastern Avenue (Washington, D.C.)
Eastern Avenue is one of three boundary streets between Washington, D.C., and the state of Maryland. It follows a northwest-to-southeast line, beginning at the intersection of 16th Street NW and Colesville Road...
. Piney Branch Road continues into Washington, where it underpasses CSX
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
's Metropolitan Subdivision, MARC
MARC Train
MARC , known prior to 1984 as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a regional rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration , a Maryland Department of Transportation agency, and is operated under contract...
's Brunswick Line
Brunswick Line
The Brunswick Line is a MARC commuter rail line consisting of a main line running from Washington D.C. to Martinsburg, West Virginia and a branch line from just south of Point-of-Rocks station to Frederick, Maryland. The service is operated under contract by CSX Transportation, but is administered...
, and the Red Line
Red Line (Washington Metro)
The Red Line of the Washington Metro is a rail rapid transit service operating between 27 stations in Montgomery County, Maryland and the District of Columbia, United States. It is a primary line through downtown Washington, and the oldest and busiest line in the system...
of the Washington Metro
Washington Metro
The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name...
about 300 ft (91.4 m) to the southwest of MD 320's southern terminus, then continues on to intersect U.S. Route 29
U.S. Route 29 in the District of Columbia
U.S. Route 29 passes through the District of Columbia between Arlington, Virginia, and Silver Spring, Maryland, predominantly along surface streets.-Route description:...
(Georgia Avenue
Georgia Avenue
Georgia Avenue is a major north-south artery in Northwest Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland. Within the District of Columbia and a short distance in Silver Spring, Maryland, Georgia Avenue is also U.S. Route 29...
) and then turn into 13th Street N.W. Following Eastern Avenue headed southeast leads to Old Town Takoma Park
Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City," is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone...
, the Takoma Park Historic District, and the Takoma
Takoma (Washington Metro)
Takoma is a Washington Metro station in Washington, D.C. on the Red Line. It is the last station within the District of Columbia on the eastern end of the line....
station of the Washington Metro
Washington Metro
The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name...
. Following Eastern Avenue in the northwest direction leads to the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus of Montgomery College
Montgomery College
Montgomery College is a public, open access community college located in Montgomery County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. in the United States. The college has three campuses, the largest of which is in Rockville; the other campuses are in Takoma Park/Silver Spring and Germantown...
.
MD 320 heads northeast as a two-lane road with a speed limit of 30 mph (48.3 km/h) through a densely-populated residential area in the city of Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City," is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone...
. At Chestnut Avenue, which is former Maryland Route 540, the road veers to the north ahead of the intersection with Maryland Route 410
Maryland Route 410
Maryland Route 410 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known for most of its length as East–West Highway, the highway runs from MD 355 in Bethesda east to Pennsy Drive in Landover Hills...
(Philadelphia Avenue). After crossing MD 410, MD 320 returns to a northeast heading and passes Takoma Park Middle School
Takoma Park Middle School
Takoma Park Middle School is a public middle school in Takoma Park in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. TPMS contains a total of 18 academic departments, as well as a specialized magnet program...
, where the road enters Silver Spring
Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver Spring is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It had a population of 71,452 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth most populous place in Maryland, after Baltimore, Columbia, and Germantown.The urbanized, oldest, and...
and widens to three lanes with a center turn lane. After passing Sligo Avenue, which was formerly Maryland Route 339, the road enters a small commercial area and enters an acute intersection with Dale Drive, which was formerly Maryland Route 391. MD 320 then descends to Sligo Creek
Sligo Creek
Sligo Creek is a free-flowing tributary of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River in Maryland. The creek is approximately long, with a drainage area of about .- Geography :The creek rises in the Kemp Mill section of Silver Spring in Montgomery County and...
and intersects Sligo Creek Parkway and the Sligo Creek Trail
Sligo Creek Trail
Sligo Creek Trail is a paved hiker-biker trail running along Sligo Creek in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Most of the trail passes through tree-filled parkland. The trail and surrounding park is a popular place for locals to jog, walk, bicycle, roller-skate, and take their children to the...
.
After crossing Sligo Creek Parkway, MD 320 gains a second lane northbound as it leaves the creek valley, turns east, and enters a commercial area with apartment complexes. The road expands to five lanes with a center turn lane prior to the intersection with Maryland Route 787
Maryland Route 787
Maryland Route 787 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as Flower Avenue, the state highway runs from Maryland Route 195 in Takoma Park north to Maryland Route 320 in Takoma Park. MD 787 splits the campus of Washington Adventist University and is the main street of the area of...
(Flower Avenue). After two traffic signals and a nonchalant crossing of Long Branch, the road intersects Maryland Route 193
Maryland Route 193
Maryland Route 193 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known for most of its length as University Boulevard and Greenbelt Road, the state highway runs from MD 185 in Kensington east to MD 202 in Greater Upper Marlboro...
(University Boulevard). After crossing MD 193, the speed limit increases to 40 mph (64.4 km/h) and the road passes a series of apartment buildings and Quebec Terrace Park as the road goes downhill. On the way down, the road intersects Carroll Avenue, a county-maintained street that links up to Maryland Route 195
Maryland Route 195
Maryland Route 195 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as Carroll Avenue, the state highway runs from Eastern Avenue at the border of Washington, D.C. north to Maryland Route 193 in Takoma Park...
. The road enters Prince George's County
Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation....
immediately before crossing Northwest Branch
Northwest Branch Anacostia River
Northwest Branch Anacostia River is a free-flowing stream in Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland. It is a tributary of the Anacostia River, which flows to the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.-Course:...
and reaching its northern terminus at Maryland Route 650
Maryland Route 650
Maryland Route 650 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as New Hampshire Avenue for most of its length, the state highway runs from Eastern Avenue at the Washington, D.C. border north to MD 108 in Etchison...
(New Hampshire Avenue
New Hampshire Avenue
New Hampshire Avenue is a diagonal street in Washington, D.C., beginning at the Kennedy Center and extending northeast for about 5 miles and then continuing into Maryland where it is designated Maryland Route 650. New Hampshire Avenue, however, is not contiguous...
) in Adelphi
Adelphi, Maryland
Adelphi is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 14,998 at the 2000 census...
.
History
Maryland Route 320 originally had its southern terminus at the Seventh Street Pike (now Georgia Avenue and U.S. Route 29U.S. Route 29 in Maryland
U.S. Route 29 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from the western suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, to Pensacola, Florida. In the U.S. state of Maryland, US 29 is a major highway that emerges from Washington D.C. and runs north into eastern Montgomery County, stretching...
) in Silver Spring. The road headed east on Sligo Avenue to its present course, then northeast along the present course to what is now MD 650. The road then followed current MD 650 north to its northern terminus at Colesville Road, which is today the intersection of MD 650 and Lockwood Drive in White Oak
White Oak, Maryland
White Oak is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States.-Geography:As an unincorporated area, White Oak's boundaries are not officially defined...
. In 1927, this route was paved from the southern terminus to Carroll Avenue. By 1933, the remainder of the road north to White Oak had been paved. The 1939 Maryland state highway map shows that route as MD 320.
Junction list
| County | Location | Mile | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery Montgomery County, Maryland Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate... 2.68 mi (4.3 km) |
Takoma Park Takoma Park, Maryland Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City," is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone... |
0.00 | Eastern Avenue Eastern Avenue (Washington, D.C.) Eastern Avenue is one of three boundary streets between Washington, D.C., and the state of Maryland. It follows a northwest-to-southeast line, beginning at the intersection of 16th Street NW and Colesville Road... Piney Branch Road |
Southern terminus Piney Branch Road continues south |
| 0.33 | Chestnut Avenue | Former MD 540 | ||
| 0.39 | ||||
| Silver Spring Silver Spring, Maryland Silver Spring is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It had a population of 71,452 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth most populous place in Maryland, after Baltimore, Columbia, and Germantown.The urbanized, oldest, and... |
1.00 | Sligo Avenue / Park Valley Road | Former MD 339 | |
| 1.20 | Dale Drive | Former MD 391 | ||
| 1.43 | Sligo Creek Parkway | |||
| 1.63 | ||||
| 2.09 | ||||
| 2.34 | Carroll Avenue | To  MD 195Maryland Route 195 Maryland Route 195 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as Carroll Avenue, the state highway runs from Eastern Avenue at the border of Washington, D.C. north to Maryland Route 193 in Takoma Park... south |
||
| Prince George's Prince George's County, Maryland Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation.... 0.16 mi (0.2574944 km) |
Adelphi Adelphi, Maryland Adelphi is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 14,998 at the 2000 census... |
2.84 | Northern terminus | |