(August 12, 2013) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning construction today to upgrade sidewalks along a portion of MD 808A (Main Street) in Mount Airy for improved safety and accessibility. The project will be complete in November, weather permitting.  

Work includes removing and reconstructing the existing sidewalk, ramps, curb and gutter along Main Street from Hood Street to north of Center Street, a distance of about 750 feet, to improve drainage and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Crews will also install flashing beacons to alert drivers to pedestrian crosswalks and will install a short wall and railing along the sidewalk on the northbound side, north of Park Avenue, where the sidewalk is higher than street level.  

“SHA is committed to providing safe access and mobility for all and pleased to be able to work with the Town of Mount Airy to bring these important enhancements to the downtown area,” SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters said. 

Work will take place Mondays through Fridays during daytime hours. During those hours, a single-lane closure and flagging operation may be needed to guide motorists through the work zone. In addition, starting in late August, a short detour will be in place for traffic on Park Avenue headed toward Main Street. The detour will direct traffic to turn right on Veterans Way, then left on Center Street for access to Main Street. The detour will remain in place for approximately one month. Traffic on Main Street will still be able to turn onto Park Avenue. 

SHA’s contractor for the $455,188 project is Rivers Construction Group LTD of Silver Spring. 

This project was made possible with funding from the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, which maintains crucial system preservation investments and allows Maryland to activate long-term strategies to invest in Maryland’s transportation systems. By putting people back to work in the transportation industry with $4.4 billion in new investments in the next six years, Maryland is creating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and providing Marylanders with the transportation infrastructure necessary to grow and prosper for decades to come. 

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! 

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