(July 15, 2014) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $5.6 million project to rehabilitate the bridge carrying Park Heights Avenue (MD 129) Bridge over I-695 (Baltimore Beltway). The project includes removing and replacing the deck (riding surface) and concrete sidewalks of the bridge and replacing one steel beam that was damaged by over-height trucks.  The project should be completed by late fall 2015, weather permitting.
 

SHA will also replace the overhead bridge lighting with ornamental light poles; rehabilitate the concrete support piers and the abutments at each end of the bridge; clean and paint the structural steel and reconstruct the pavement on the  approaches to the bridge.  SHA’s contractor is Martins Construction Corporation of Falls Church, VA.

The work will take place in several  stages, and the bridge and interchange will remain open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during construction work.  Beginning this week, crews will close a single lane on the Park Heights Avenue Bridge between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday – Friday and between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday - Thursday.

There will also be temporary single daytime lane closures on I-695 underneath the Park Heights Avenue Bridge between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday - Thursday, and between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday.  Temporary night-time single and double lane closures on I-695 will occur between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. the next morning Sunday – Thursday.

Beginning early fall 2014, SHA will close one travel lane in each direction on the bridge 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the project is complete.  Pedestrians will be able to use one side of the bridge at all times. SHA will install a temporary traffic signal to control left turns from northbound MD 129 to the outer loop of I-695. There will also be temporary ramp and temporary lane closures on I-695 underneath the bridge during off-peak travel hours. More than 16,000 motorists use the Park Heights Avenue Bridge over I-695 each day.

“SHA encourages drivers to plan ahead for extra commuting time on Park Heights Avenue and drive with caution in the I-695 interchange work zone,” said SHA District Engineer David Peake.  “Pedestrians should also look ahead for changing traffic patterns in the work zone and stay within the designated crossing area on the bridge.”

Citizens who have questions about highway construction on Park Heights Avenue, I-695 or any other State highway within Baltimore or Harford counties may contact SHA’s District 4 Office – Construction Division in Hunt Valley at 410-229-2420, toll-free at 1-866-998-0367 or by e-mail: shadistrict4@sha.state.md.us.

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 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.  Drivers, passengers as well as workers are at risk. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.