(December 6, 2011) – Motorists traveling on the US 40 (Baltimore National Pike) corridor between Howard and Baltimore counties will soon encounter changing traffic patterns.  At 7 p.m. Friday, December 9, SHA will temporarily close one of two lanes on the eastbound US 40 bridge over the Patapsco River for the weekend.  The closure will allow crews to pave and create a transition from the existing eastbound roadway to the first of two temporary bridges carrying US 40 traffic during bridge rehabilitation work.

By 5 a.m. Monday, December 12, all traffic on eastbound US 40 will be shifted onto one of two temporary bridges built to carry US 40 traffic across the Patapsco River and all traffic on westbound US 40 will be shifted onto the second bridge. 

In case of inclement weather, the eastbound traffic shift will take effect on or after Monday, December 19 and the westbound traffic shift will be in effect on or after Monday, January 9.  Once the eastbound and westbound traffic shifts are complete, all four lanes of traffic on US 40 will be open on the temporary bridges.  This traffic pattern will be in effect through late-fall 2012, weather permitting.      

Pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to use the temporary bridge crossing due to narrowed lane widths.  The Patapsco Valley State Park entrances along US 40 are open during construction; however, SHA and the State Park rangers will prohibit park visitors from traveling within the work zone along US 40 and underneath the bridge.  All other park areas will remain open for day visitors and campers.   

Citizens can follow SHA on Facebook at MD SHA US 40 PATAPSCO BRIDGE or stay updated on the project’s progress on www.roads.maryland.gov.   Do you have project questions? Contact SHA by sending correspondence to SHADistrict4@sha.state.md.us or call 410-461-1953 or toll-free at 1-866-998-0367 to reach SHA District 4 Construction Division.

           
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