(March 29, 2012) –Drivers who live, work and visit Dorchester County will soon have a smoother, safer ride on several roads because the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning projects on the eastern shore totaling $1.6 million.  Weather permitting, all work is expected to be complete late-June.

Work begins in Cambridge where SHA is resurfacing two miles of MD 343 (Washington Street) between US 50 (Ocean Gateway) and Leonard Lane.  The project includes milling, patching, resurfacing and restriping MD 343.  SHA will then resurface MD 750 (Old Route 50) beginning at the intersection with US 50 across Bucktown Road and back to US 50 near Cedar Drive.

Once work in Cambridge is complete, SHA will move crews to Vienna and resurface a small section of MD 331 (Rhodesdale-Vienna Road) from US 50 to north of Indiantown Road.  SHA will then visit Church Creek and resurface MD 16 (Church Creek Road) between MD 335 (Golden Hill Road) and Brannocks Neck Road.

The last two projects in Vienna include resurfacing US 50 between Austin Road and Chateau Road (east of Cambridge).  Finally, SHA will resurface MD 335 (Hoopers Island Road) between Golden Hill and MD 335, and then another segment between the Wallace Creek Bridge and the Blackwater River Bridge. SHA awarded the resurfacing projects to David A. Bramble, Inc., Chestertown.  Crews will work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weather permitting.  SHA will use cones and barrels together with a flagging operation to guide motorists through the work zone.

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 and 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 restricts hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

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