(January 30, 2013) – The State Highway Administration (SHA) begins slope renovations on Friday, February 1 for the first of six locations along the US 50 Bypass in Salisbury near Naylor Mill Road. The restoration work along the bypass is expected to be completed by late spring, weather permitting.

The slope renovations will be conducted in two phases under two contracts, both awarded to David A. Bramble, Inc., of Chestertown.  The first phase of the renovation is contracted for $392,000 and includes work on slopes along three ramps connecting Naylor Mill Road to the US 50 Bypass. Traffic will not be impacted by the work along the three ramps.

The project includes re-grading the existing slopes and planting grass and a series of plastic grids to hold the grass and slope soil in place during rain storms.  This will ultimately help prevent the slopes from eroding and sediment from entering the environment.  

SHA will also install new curb and gutter with underground drains to channel storm water along steep sections of the roadside through concrete inlets.  The velocity of the water will be slowed and flow through stone rip rap (rock piles) into natural stormwater conveyances along the highway.

The second phase of the project is contracted for $300,785 and includes 2,500 feet of slope renovation on the eastbound side of the bypass and an additional 1,000 feet of slope upgrades on three sections on the westbound side of the bypass.  There will be a period of a few weeks in February and March during the slope renovations when both phases are underway at the same time.

The second phase begins repairing slopes along 2,500 feet on the eastbound lane of the US 50 Bypass, just west of Northwood Drive.  During this work the right lane and shoulder of eastbound US 50 will be closed to traffic while the left lane will remain open. The work then moves to the westbound side of the bypass between the overpass at US 13 westward to Naylor Mill Road.   The Northwood Drive ramp will remain open to motorists.

The temporary lane closure and the reduced lane width at the two separate locations on the US 50 Bypass will be in place  24-hours a day until the renovations are completed at the respective work zones. Warning signs, drums, and concrete barriers will guide motorists through the work zones, throughout both phases of the slope renovation work. 

While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Safer driving. Safer work zones. Benefit everyone!

Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information!  Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit: www.md511.org  for current travel information. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely - Maryland law restricts hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

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