(July 22, 2014) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $6.2 million project to stabilize slopes along a section of MD 24 (Rocks Road) adjacent to Deer Creek in the Rocks State Park area of Harford County. SHA designed the project in coordination with local park enthusiasts, environmental experts and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to minimize impacts to the park and wildlife.
The highway construction requires temporary roadway closures in order to complete the work quickly, reducing duration of the project and overall impact to traffic. Rocks Road will be closed to all traffic between Rocks Chrome Hill Road and St. Clair Bridge Road. Local traffic will have access up to the point of the closure. Non local traffic will be detoured around the work zone using MD 165 (Federal Hill Road) and MD 23 (East-West Highway). SHA’s contractor for the project is Corman Construction of Annapolis junction. The road closure and detour will be in effect through fall 2014.
(SHA Map/MD 24 Detour Map)
“The Rocks Road closure and detour are necessary for the safety of construction personnel, travelers, and Rocks State Park staff and visitors during highway and waterway work,” said SHA District Engineer David Peake. “SHA appreciates commuters’ and park visitors’ patience as we work to finish as soon as possible.”
The slope stabilization and roadway reconstruction project includes:
• a new 150-foot bio-engineered reinforced slope between the highway and the creek;
• a new 500-foot decorative stone wall between the highway and the creek;
• erosion and sediment control measures;
• highway drainage improvements including storm drain systems and outfalls;
• slope reconstruction and extensive landscaping with native plants;
• parking lot grading;
• and new brown metal traffic barriers, pavement markings and traffic signs.
Rocks State Park and “The King and Queen Seat” rock formation will be open during construction. However, SHA and DNR must close the gravel parking lot along Rocks Road, the Purple Trail between the gravel parking lot and “The King and Queen Seat,” and a section of Deer Creek during construction work.
Citizens who have questions about highway construction on Rocks Road or any other State highway within Baltimore or Harford counties may contact SHA’s District 4 Office – Construction Division in Hunt Valley at 410-229-2420, toll-free at 1-866-998-0367 or by e-mail:
shadistrict4@sha.state.md.us.
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 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. Drivers, passengers as well as workers are at risk. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.
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