(July 18, 2017) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is resuming the project to replace the MD 272 (Mauldin Avenue) Bridge over the Amtrak tracks in the town of North East.  Work now is getting underway to completely replace the 63-year-old bridge, which provides a vital link between North East and major highways including US 40 (Pulaski Highway) and I-95.  Completion is expected in spring 2019, weather permitting.

“We thank the town of North East for their patience as we worked through several issues on the project,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Gregory Slater.  “We have a new contractor that is resuming the work to get this bridge replaced to better serve the community.”

The new 135-foot-long bridge will feature wide shoulders and ADA-compliant sidewalks extending from North Main Street/Russell Street to the North East Station shopping center.  Work also includes realignment and paving of MD 272, two retaining walls, storm water management, lighting and a left turn lane on southbound MD 272 at Russell Street.  The project was delayed last year after MDOT SHA terminated the original contract with the contractor.  MDOT SHA rebid the project and awarded the contract to a new contractor.

Crews are building the bridge parallel to the existing structure, so there will be minimal impacts to traffic.  Residents and pedestrians will have access to the area and all businesses during construction.

Nearly 13,000 vehicles cross the MD 272 Bridge over Amtrak each day.  The town of North East is a popular summer tourist destination and MD 272 is the primary route to Elk Neck State Park which borders the Elk River and headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay.  SHA awarded the $11.2 million bridge replacement to Allan Myers of Fallston.

While the bridge is safe for traffic, it was rated “structurally deficient” in recent inspections due primarily to deck/riding surface condition.  The bridge has reached the end of its useful service life and complete replacement is more fiscally responsible than continued repair.

The Hogan Administration is making record investments in highways and bridges.  Of the 69 structurally deficient bridges inherited by the Hogan Administration, 21 are repaired or replaced and the remaining are under construction or in design.

 

 

(Google Map:  MD 272 Bridge over Amtrak project location in Cecil County.)

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 Maryland’s 23 counties.  Maryland drivers can Know Before You Go! by calling 511 or visiting www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and lane closures.

While MDOT 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. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands.

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