(January 26, 2017) – Next week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is continuing work on the new fender system on the MD 231 Benedict Bridge over the Patuxent River.  Crews will be on site Monday and Tuesday nights, January 30 and January 31 and need to close one lane between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.  Flaggers will guide drivers through the work zone across the bridge. Crews may need to close the bridge  for 30 minute intervals between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m.  All work is weather permitting.

A bridge fender system is constructed in the water and serves as protection to the bridge piers (support structures.)  Fenders are designed to absorb boat impacts rather than the structural supports.

As crews work to keep work zones safe, we ask that each driver actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes.  Travelers should allow extra time to cross the bridge.  SHA awarded the $3.5 million project to Corman Marine Construction, Inc. of Annapolis Junction.

Those who have questions about this work and other State highway projects in southern Maryland may contact the SHA District 5 Office at 410-841-1000 or shadistrict5@sha.state.md.us.  For the latest real-time travel information, log onto www.md511.org.