(March 1, 2013) – As a result of weather related delays, the State Highway Administration (SHA) is extending traffic detours for two more nights for motorists traveling on US 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) at US 50 (Ocean Gateway) in Queen Anne’s County.  The temporary nighttime detours tonight and Sunday, March 3 are necessary to install new steel beams as part of the final phase of the bridge deck replacement project on westbound US 50 over US 301.

Northbound US 301 traffic will be detoured Friday night, March 1 with motorists diverted to eastbound US 50 to a left on MD 213 and return to US 301.  Southbound US 301 traffic will be detoured Sunday night, March 3 to a left on MD 456 (Del Rhodes Avenue) to westbound US 50 and back to southbound US 301.

Similar detours have worked well with minimal delays. Both detours will be from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following morning, weather permitting.

The entire bridge rehabilitation project is scheduled to be complete late April 2013. The project includes replacing the bridge deck, resurfacing, and cleaning the brick walls adjacent to the travel lanes.  

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.  For 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 prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.  For motorists traveling west toward the Bay Bridge, try 511’s news “Reach the Beach” feature by simply saying – “Reach the Beach.”  This service provides real-time travel data from points west and east between the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Eastern Shore Destinations or to the bridge.

SHA is making it easy to get safety tips and information on the go through Twitter @MDSHA and on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/MarylandStateHighwayAdministration.