​Drivers Should Expect Intermittent Single-Lane Closures, Current Phase Continues through Summer 2026 

(May 5, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) is continuing multi-phased rehabilitation repairs to the US 50 (Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge) over the Sinepuxent Bay in Ocean City. This phase of work, which includes concrete repairs, is anticipated to be completed by summer 2026, weather permitting.  

Thanks to the budget introduced under Governor Moore’s leadership, and with the approval of the Maryland General Assembly, SHA is making investments in preserving aged infrastructure, like the US 50 bridge. Built in 1942, the more than 80-year-old bridge is the primary entrance to downtown Ocean City. The structure is long and requires regular maintenance and repairs to keep it in a state of good repair and to maintain reliability. Annually, the bridge has approximately 1,663 drawbridge openings, making it one of the busiestr moveable bridges in the state. 

The ongoing rehabilitation work is necessary to repair the underside of the bridge and to address flaking and deteriorating concrete. These repairs are necessary to ensure the safety of the marine traffic underneath, keep the bridge in a state of good repair, extend the service life of the structure and ensure the reliability of the bridge for travelers. The work also includes repairs to sidewalks approaching and on the bridge.   

Drivers can expect off-peak daytime lane closures Mondays through Fridays from 4 a.m. until 11 a.m. These lane closures are needed for material deliveries, to stage equipment and to collect demolition debris.   

The State Highway Administration will closely monitor traffic volumes and adjust lane closures as needed to manage construction-related delays. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic approaching and, on the bridge, will be maintained during the rehabilitation work. The State Highway Administration will suspend lane closures during large Ocean City events. Motorists may want to consider using MD 90 (Ocean City Expressway) as an alternate route to avoid the work zone.   

The ongoing work is one of a series of phased rehabilitation projects aimed at extending the service life of the structure. This upcoming winter, crews will make metal repairs to the drawspan section of the bridge. In winter 2026/2027, crews will paint and coat the metal surfaces of the structure to keep environmental elements from corroding the bridge. After the painting work is completed, it is anticipated that bridge pier repairs will follow.  

Additional information about the rehabilitation work is available on the project’s portal website​.  

Contractor Covington Machine and Welding will use barrels and cones to direct motorists through the work zone. Arrow panels and variable message boards will alert motorists to the lane closures and changing traffic patterns.     

In addition to normal jack hammers, crews are using a technique called hydrodemolition, which uses high-pressure water to extract loose pieces of concrete and is anticipated to accelerate the project. This innovative process along with the use of an under bridge platform will speed up the concrete work and reduce the impacts to traffic.   

Thanks to additional transportation resources provided in Governor Moore’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the Department of Transportation is investing in projects and policy reforms that will improve the safety and reliability of our network, spur economic growth and ensure our transportation system is in a state of good repair.