(November 12, 2014) – The State Highway Administration (SHA) begins a 24-hour traffic detour from 7 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday, November 15-16, for a one-half mile section of MD 213 (North Bridge Street) between MD 279 (Newark Avenue) and Elkton Boulevard. The road closure is necessary to enable SHA to replace a failed stormwater pipe that runs under MD 213.

Northbound traffic will be detoured to a left on MD 279 (Elkton Road) to a left on MD 545 (Blue Ball Road), to a left on Elkton Blvd. returning to MD 213, North Bridge Street. Southbound traffic will follow the same one-mile detour, but in the opposite direction.

There will be access to the Northside Plaza on MD 213 during the project. The pipe replacement is located adjacent to Northside Plaza, but traffic can travel through the shopping center’s northern most entrance. All residents will have access to their homes during the closure.

The detour route will be marked with temporary signage and portable variable message signs.  Motorists should plan for extra time during the pipe replacement project. The contractor for the MD 213 pipe replacement is Concrete General of Gaithersburg. The pipe replacement will cost approximately $15,000.

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. Saver Driving. Safer Work Zones. For Everyone!