Traffic Shifted Along Needwood Road to Build New Bridge as Part of ICC Contract A           
          
(October 22, 2008) - On Monday, October 27 at approximately 9 a.m., the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will shift northbound and southbound traffic along Needwood Road onto a new adjacent temporary road as construction continues for the Intercounty Connector (ICC). The temporary road, between Muncaster Mill Road (MD 115) and Beach Drive, is approximately 1,000 feet in length. At least one lane along Needwood Road will remain open during the shift.           
          
This new alignment will be in place for approximately one year and is necessary to construct the new Needwood Road Bridge over the ICC. The work is part of the Contract A section of the ICC from I-370 to east of MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) and the first of four contracts to be built. Contract A is scheduled to open in late 2010.           
          
As of October 20, Contract A is approximately 30 percent complete. The $475 million Contract A was awarded to Intercounty Constructors, a joint venture consisting of Granite Construction of Watsonville, CA, Corman Construction of Annapolis Junction, MD and G.A & F.C. Wagman of York, PA. For more information about the project, citizens may call the ICC Community Outreach staff at 1-866-462-0020.           
          
Temporary barrels, traffic signs, arrow panels, flag persons and portable variable message boards will alert and guide motorists through the work zone. SHA encourages all motorists to Choose Safety for Life and Think Orange, while driving through work zones by obeying the speed limit and remaining alert at all times. More information about the Choose Safety For Life Campaign can be found at www.choosesafetyforlife.com .