(March 13, 2013) – To safely accommodate pedestrians during construction, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will open a temporary pedestrian bridge along Motter Avenue over US 15 in Frederick Monday. The bridge will remain open for the next two years while crews widen the Motter Avenue Bridge over US 15.
“With this bridge so near schools and businesses, SHA considered pedestrian safety a top priority in planning this project,” SHA District 7 Engineer Dave Coyne said. “Once completed, the new Motter Avenue Bridge will have shoulders and wider sidewalks to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. During construction, the temporary pedestrian bridge will keep them safe and away from the work area.”
The bridge widening is part of a $15 million joint project between SHA and the City of Frederick to improve safety and traffic flow along Motter Avenue and Opossumtown Pike between US 15 and Thomas Johnson Drive.
Crews will place barricades and “sidewalk closed” signs across the sidewalk on either side of the bridge with arrows directing pedestrians to the pathway leading to the pedestrian bridge. The pedestrian bridge is 10 feet wide and has a chain-link fence ceiling for safety. Before it opens, chain link safety fence will also be installed along the pathways leading up to the bridge. Bicyclists may also use the pedestrian bridge, but they should dismount and walk across the bridge.
Motorists should also be aware that beginning the week of March 18, weather permitting, crews will begin installing concrete medians on Thomas Johnson Drive that will permanently prevent left-turn movements into and out of some business entrances near the Opossumtown Pike intersection. This change is designed to improve traffic flow, as the heavy traffic volumes on Thomas Johnson Drive approaching the intersection make left turns at these locations both difficult and dangerous. Many of these businesses and commercial centers have additional entrances further from the intersection, where left turns will still be permitted.
While SHA and its 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 – 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!
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