Seven-Mile Paving Project Will Improve Ride, Safety on Old Ocean City Road

(April 17, 2017) – Beginning in late April, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will resurface seven miles of MD 346 (Old Ocean City Road), between Rounds Road in Pittsville and the Worcester County line/Pocomoke River just east of Willards.  Tasks include milling (removing the top layer of asphalt), patching, paving and restriping.  Weather permitting, crews will work weekdays 9 a.m. to dusk.  Hours and workdays may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate traffic or expedite the project.  Completion is expected by mid-June.

“This is a challenging resurfacing project and we’re asking for motorists, residents and businesses to be patient.  Usually we remove and replace two inches of asphalt, but due to road conditions in some areas we’ll have to remove three inches and then pave in two separate layers or “lifts,” explains SHA District Engineer Jay Meredith.  “There will be some inconveniences and traffic impacts, but with a little cooperation, we’ll get there and the finished product will be worth it.”

Drivers can expect single lane closures guided by a flagging operation during work hours.  About 2,500 vehicles travel on this section of MD 346 each day so commuters should plan additional commute time during the resurfacing project.

As its name implies, Old Ocean City Road, was a major route between Salisbury and Ocean City prior to the construction of US 50.  MD 346 now runs approximately 24 miles from Salisbury to Berlin and remains the primary route through many towns including Parsonsburg, Pittsville, Willards and Whaleyville.

This resurfacing is part of a multi-location area wide contract awarded to Allan Myers of Fallston.  Estimated cost for this project is $2 million.

Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands.  Maryland drivers can also know before they go by calling 511 or visiting www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and lane closures.

For more information about the MD 346 resurfacing project, please call SHA District 1 Construction.  The number is -800-825-4742.