(May 3, 2012) – The State Highway Administration (SHA) announced this week that a two-year stormwater project to improve drainage along US 13 Business (North Salisbury Boulevard) from East Church Street to east of London Street and in the Newtown neighborhood has begun. The project should be complete summer 2014.
The $5.3 million project will improve drainage and eliminate flooding along a one-half mile section of US 13 Business and on Isabella Street, Park Avenue and William Street. By improving and adding underground drainage pipes, runoff will be more efficiently moved off of the road to prevent ponding and flooding.
The system will also enhance water quality of runoff before entering the Wicomico River. SHA will begin the work by installing a new bulkhead and stormwater outfall at the headwaters of the Wicomico River south of West Isabella Street, immediately south of Johnson Pond. Drainage pipes will then be installed along Park Avenue, West Isabella Street and on to US 13 Business.
Crews will close a lane on Isabella Street on April 30. . Work will occurMondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. SHA crews will use variable message signs, cones and barrels together with a flagging operation to direct traffic through the single-lane closures.
Beginning, on Thursday, May 3rd, SHA will close the intersection of West Isabella Street, Mill Street will be closed for three weeks. The temporary street closure will allow the contractor to install a 61 foot drainage pipe encasement that is six-feet in diameter, under the railroad track crossing at Mill Street. The steel sleeve will enable a 54-inch diameter stormwater pipe to be installed and protected under the railroad crossing extending the drainage improvements eastward along West Isabella Street.
During the street closure a detour will be in place directing eastbound traffic will be detoured from West Isabella Street to Lake Street, then travel along eastbound US 50 to North Division Street, and then to North Division Street and back to East Isabella Street. Westbound traffic will be detoured in the reverse. Barricades, variable message signs, warning signs and barrels will direct traffic through the detour route.
Access to residences and businesses will remain open throughout the temporary street closure. Motor vehicle access to residents and businesses located on West Isabella Street, west of the railroad tracks at Mill Street, will travel from Lake Street and West Isabella Street. Motor vehicle access to residences located on West Isabella Street, east of the railroad tracks at Mill Street, will travel from North Division Street and West Isabella Street.
Access to businesses located on Mill Street will be available at all times to motorists traveling from US 50.
Once the new drainage pipes are installed along West Isabella Street, Park Avenue and William Street, the storm water improvements will continue for about 18 months along both sides of US 13 Business to north of London Avenue.
SHA is working with the City of Salisbury to ensure there is minimal disruption of public utilities to property owners. The state awarded the project to Daisy Concrete, Inc., of Newport, Del.
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.
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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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