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(January 11, 2013) – Following the first successful bridge replacement in Maryland using self propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will take advantage of warmer temperatures this weekend and pave West Nursery Road over MD 295 Friday night into Saturday.
Both directions of West Nursery Road will be CLOSED approaching MD 295 beginning tonight at 10 p.m. Detour signs will be in place to guide motorists around the work zone. Crews will mill/grind the roadway during the overnight hours, and pave and restripe lanes on the West Nursery Road Bridge during the daytime hours on Saturday when temperatures are expected to be in the 50s or 60s. Completion is expected by Saturday evening. All ramps at MD 295 will be open to traffic.
“With warm temperatures in the forecast, we will take advantage and complete final paving and striping instead of waiting until spring,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “The project remains ahead of schedule thanks to a tremendous team effort from our staff and contractors and great cooperation from motorists and local business owners.”
SHA expects the good news to continue next week, when the barrier wall on MD 295 at West Nursery Road will be moved back to the shoulder and all three lanes of MD 295 open to traffic in both directions. Occasional single lane closures may still be needed on MD 295 to finish minor stone and concrete work under the bridges this spring.
The “Bridge on Wheels” project began last summer and focused on the use of SPMTs to move the two West Nursery Road bridges into place over two weekends. SPMTs are multi-axle hydraulic units capable of lifting and moving several thousand tons. SHA constructed the new bridges in the MD 295 median and moved them into place in November. This innovative technique condensed the bridge construction period from two years to six months, with minimal impacts to traffic and the West Nursery Road business corridor, which includes the hotel district for BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.
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