(April 9, 2014) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin work the week of April 14 on a two-month-long project to repair the concrete sidewalks and curbs on the MD 17 (Petersville Road) Bridge over the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia near Brunswick. Weather permitting, the work will be complete mid-June.

During construction, the sidewalk on one side of the bridge at a time will be closed on weekdays, and signs will direct pedestrians to use the sidewalk on the opposite side of the bridge, using marked crosswalks. SHA will make every effort to reopen both sidewalks on weekends.

On Mondays through Fridays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., the bridge will be reduced to one lane with a flagging operation. Overnight lane closures are also possible between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. SHA will use flaggers, signs, barrels, cones and arrow panels to guide motorists through the work zone. Motorists should allow extra time and use caution in the work zone. The bridge has an average daily traffic volume of approximately  4,800 vehicles.

SHA’s contractor for the approximately $235,000 repairs is Concrete General, Inc., of Gaithersburg.  While SHA and its 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!