(June 20, 2011) – Tomorrow June 21 the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is replacing the six marine navigation lights (three per side) on the MD 611 (Stephen Decatur Highway) bridge over Sinepuxent Bay in Worcester County.  Crews are replacing the old incandescent fixtures with longer-lasting and more energy-efficient LED lights.

Work is expected to take place from 7:00 a.m. until completion (prior to sunset).  Crews will work from the bridge using a “snooper” bucket truck.  SHA will close one lane on the bridge to ensure safety for motorists and workers, and a flagging operation will be in place to guide motorists through the work zone. 

Access to the parallel pedestrian/bicycle bridge should be unaffected by the work. This maintenance work is part of an areawide contract with Rommel Engineering and Construction of Odenton.

The Bridge provides access to Assateague State Park and Assateague Island National Seashore.  Sinepuxent Bay is a navigable inland waterway connecting Chincoteague Bay with Ocean City Inlet.  More than 5,000 vehicles use this bridge each year with substantially higher volumes during peak summer weekends.

Construction season is here with numerous active work zone sites that include major construction projects taking months to complete and mobile operations taking only minutes.  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 - look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don't follow too closely.  Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones.  For everyone.

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