Annapolis, MD – With the 2017 construction season underway, the Hogan Administration is announcing the start of two major bridge projects in Charles County. In February 2016, Governor Larry Hogan visited southern Maryland and identified critical projects and reinforced his commitment to investing in transportation statewide.

This year, an investment of $5 million will replace the MD 234 (Budds Creek Road) Bridge over Gilbert Run Swamp in Newburg, and $3 million will fund the rehabilitation of the MD 6 (Charles Street) Bridge over Zekiah Swamp in La Plata. Both structurally deficient bridges are funded for construction. Temporary traffic signals will alternate traffic on each bridge, and the projects are scheduled for completion in 2018, weather permitting.

“Our administration remains committed to fixing every single structurally deficient state-owned bridge in Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “These crucial investments in major commuter routes serve our citizens, businesses, truck traffic, and emergency personnel and support the local economy and quality of life of the citizens of Charles County.”

The Hogan Administration is making record investments in highways and bridges and is working to repair or replace all 69 structurally deficient bridges inherited by the Administration.

The $5 million project to replace the MD 234 Bridge over Gilbert Run Swamp is underway. The bridge, located three miles east of US 301, was constructed in 1958 and requires replacement. The new two-lane MD 234 Bridge will include bicycle compatible shoulders. MDOT SHA’s contractor, Rustler Construction, Inc. of Upper Marlboro, will use a temporary traffic signal to alternate and maintain one lane of traffic on the bridge during construction. Crews are preparing for the installation of the traffic signal. About 6,500 vehicles cross this bridge each day.

In La Plata, crews will replace the aging bridge deck on the MD 6 Bridge over Zekiah Swamp. The bridge, built in 1933, is structurally sound, but the condition of the deck requires crews to construct a new driving surface. Nearly 12,000 drivers use the bridge each day. Preliminary work to set up the construction work zone is underway, and this project is scheduled for completion in spring 2018. MDOT SHA awarded the $3 million project to Marine Technologies, Inc. of Baltimore. Crews will replace the existing concrete bridge deck, add wide shoulders and repair bridge supports and approaches.

“MDOT SHA appreciates the patience of area residents and asks that they plan extra travel time since the traffic will alternate with a signal control during construction,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Gregory Slater.  “We will work with our contractors to keep the projects on schedule and finish on time.”

The e-Road Ready 2017 electronic construction brochure is now available by clicking here.  The e-brochure highlights major road construction and maintenance projects in each of MDOT SHA’s seven engineering districts which cover Maryland’s 23 counties.

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.
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