(October 18, 2013) – Beginning Monday, October 21 at 9 a.m., the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will set new steel beams for the dual bridges that carry MD 4 (Pennsylvania Avenue) over MD 223 (Woodyard Road). Weather permitting, the structural steel setting phase of the project should be complete by mid-November.

The work involves positioning cranes to hoist the steel beams, delivering the beams on a flat bed truck to the work zone, lifting the girders into place by cranes and safely tightening beam bolts to bridge abutments.

During the work, SHA is permitted to close:

 

• One lane in both directions of MD 4, weekdays, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• One lane in both directions of MD 223, weekdays, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• All lanes of traffic intermittently on MD 223, weekdays, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for intervals of up to 15 minutes.

This work is part of the $18 million dual bridge replacement project to replace the twin spans on MD 4 over MD 223.  The project began in May and, weather permitting, all work is expected to be complete fall 2015. On average, nearly 63,000 vehicles use the four-lane highway on MD 4 daily. To date, crews have demolished one half of each of the existing bridges. 

The new northbound MD 4 Bridge will have two lanes, an acceleration lane for northbound MD 223 traffic, a six-foot outside shoulder, and a 22-foot-wide inside shoulder. The new southbound bridge will have two lanes, a 10-foot outside shoulder, and a 24-foot-wide inside shoulder. Wider shoulders will provide the ability for an additional future lane in each direction. The lanes would be restriped to provide for the additional capacity.

As crews work to keep work zones safe, 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!