(November 28, 2011) – Starting Friday December 2, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin bridge structural repairs on the MD 225 (Hawthorne Road) Bridge over Mattawoman Creek near Indian Head, Charles County.  Crews will perform preliminary work during the day requiring a single lane flagging operation between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

Crews will temporarily close the bridge to traffic from 9 p.m. Friday until 9 p.m. Saturday December 3.  The 24-hour closure will allow SHA to repair concrete bridge piers and roadway joints. Crews performing the repairs will use a 35-ton crane that extends across both travel lanes. 

Detour signs will be posted directing eastbound MD 225 traffic to MD 224 (Chicamuxen Road),  north to MD 227 (Pompfret Road/Livingston Road) east, then south on Marshall Corner Road to MD 225.  Westbound MD 225 traffic will be directed to Marshall Corner Road to MD 227 west to MD 224 south to MD 225.

Once crane operations are complete, concrete work will continue with a single-lane flagging operation weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and nightly between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. All work should be complete by late December, weather permitting.  SHA will work to accommodate emergency vehicles when needed. 

This work is being performed by Covington Machine and Welding of Annapolis at a cost of $260,000.  Originally constructed in 1957, the MD 225 Bridge over Mattawoman Creek carries an average of 11,000 vehicles per day.

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. 

Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information!  Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org  for current travel information. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely - Maryland law prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

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