(April 2, 2012) – This week the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) begins $3.9 million project to rehabilitate six bridges at the US 29/US 40 and MD 216/I-95 interchanges in Howard County.  SHA expects to complete the entire project spring 2013, weather permitting. 

During Phase I this spring and summer, SHA will work on two bridges along northbound US 29 and two bridges along MD 216 (Scaggsville Road):

- Northbound US 29 over mainline US 40;
- Northbound US 29 over US 40 ramp A, which is one-quarter mile south of the US 40 interchange;
- Eastbound MD 216 over I-95; and
- Westbound MD 216 over I-95.

To protect workers and motorists, the ramp from eastbound US 40 to northbound US 29 will be closed for approximately two months beginning Monday morning, April 16.  This is the only ramp that will need to be closed for an extended period.

Traffic on eastbound US 40 wanting to go north on US 29 will be directed to southbound US 29, through the MD 108 interchange and back to northbound US 29.

Additionally, as a tool to protect highway construction workers and motorists, the SafeZones  automated speed enforcement program will be active at the US 29/US 40 work site.  Maryland SafeZones mobile enforcement vehicles using laser imaging technology rotate among eligible work zones throughout the State.  Other Baltimore area work zones featuring SafeZones include: I-695 at Liberty Road; I-695 at Charles Street (MD 139); I-695 at Frederick Road; I-695 at Wilkens Avenue; and the I-95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL).  Maryland SafeZones vehicles will start automated speed enforcement for vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit by 12 mph or more on northbound US 29 beginning Tuesday, April 17.  Maryland SafeZones will issue warnings until May 7, and will begin issuing $40 citations on May 8.

Long-term single-lane closures will also occur on both eastbound and westbound MD 216 bridges over I-95 this spring and summer.

Phase II of the project, which will begin mid-to-late summer, involves bridge rehabilitation of two bridges along both southbound US 29;

- Southbound US 29 over US 40;
- Southbound US 29 over Frederick Road (one-half mile south of US 40 interchange).

To maintain all through lanes on both northbound and southbound US 29 during construction, each separate bridge must be rehabilitated from right to left, one lane at a time.  For each lane, a section of bridge will be milled, hydro-blasted (extreme high pressure power washing), poured with new concrete, then cured for at least seven days.  That sequence will occur one lane at a time with several bridges under construction simultaneously, though crews will not work on north and southbound US 29 at the same time.

In addition to the ramp closure, crews are permitted to have single or double lane closures on US 29, Sunday through Thursday nights between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

SHA awarded the contract to G.A. and F.C. Wagman, Inc. of York, Pa.  Those who have questions about traffic operations along US 29, US 40, MD 216 or other state numbered routes in Howard County, may call SHA’s District 7 Office in Frederick at 301-624-8100 or toll free at 1-800-635-5119. 

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.

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 work zone speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don't follow too closely.  Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones.  For everyone.

      
# # #​