(January 2, 2013) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will re-open the intersection of West Isabella Street and Mill Street on Tuesday, January 15, weather permitting. The intersection has been closed and motorists detoured since early November.
The temporary detour was established to allow safe and expeditious installation of storm water pipes under the railroad tracks at the intersection. The piping has been installed and remaining work includes patching, resurfacing and new line striping. Additionally, SHA will construct new concrete curbs. There will be no changes in traffic patterns while the current detour remains in place through January 15.
The street closure is part of the first 18-month phase of the drainage project that improves and adds underground piping to eliminate flooding in one of Salisbury’s oldest neighborhoods. The first phase of work is within the Newtown Neighborhood in Salisbury only, and is scheduled for completion December 2013, weather permitting. The initial drainage work will continue along West Isabella Street, Park Avenue and William Street.
The second phase of the entire $5.3 million storm water drainage project includes installing new drainage pipes along both sides of US 13 Business to north of London Avenue and is scheduled to be complete by December 2014. On US 13 Business the project will improve drainage and eliminate flooding along a one-half mile section of the highway.
“We appreciate the public’s patience with the delays SHA has encountered, many caused by old unmapped underground utilities and building foundations that required engineering plans to be revised several times,” said Donnie Drewer, SHA District Engineer.
SHA is working with the City of Salisbury to ensure minimal disruption of public utilities to property owners. Access to businesses located on Mill Street will be available at all times to motorists traveling from US 50. SHA will use detour signs, cones and barrels 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!
# # #