(May 21, 2015) – Construction to replace the Philadelphia Road (MD 7) bridge over a tributary of Bynum Run will begin on June 20, when the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will close the bridge. Located between Abingdon Road and MD 136 (Calvary Road), the bridge will remain closed with a detour in place until late August, weather permitting.

 

The bridge closure and detour are necessary for crews to remove and replace the approximately 100 year old existing bridge. The new bridge will have two 11-foot lanes and narrow shoulders. The new structure will improve the flow of the Bynum Run tributary and provide a smoother ride on the roadway approaches to the bridge.

 

Pre-construction activities will begin on Philadelphia Road by early June. Temporary daytime single lane closures and flagging operations may be in effect within the vicinity of the bridge during the week between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Prior to June 20, crews will place portable digital message boards on Philadelphia Road alerting travelers to the upcoming road closure and detour. The detour will take traffic on Philadelphia Road to MD 24 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway), US 40 (Pulaski Highway) and MD 543 (Riverside Parkway). Signs will direct truck traffic to use I-95 between MD 24 and MD 543.

 

“SHA appreciates travelers’ patience during this summer’s construction project,” said SHA District Engineer David Peake. “SHA encourages all motorists and bicyclists to plan ahead for extra travel time and use the detour route to reach local businesses north and south of the bridge.”

 

Daisy Concrete of Newport, DE is SHA’s contractor for the $900,000 project.  Citizens who have questions about highway construction on Philadelphia 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.              

 

For a statewide listing of most SHA projects, click here for e-Road Ready 2015. In addition to this project, drivers may encounter mobile or short-term work zones. Always expect the unexpected, pay extra close attention and drive slowly through any work zone. Whether it is a tree trimming operation or a bridge project, be aware when orange is there: Think Orange (the color of construction equipment and signs), stay alert and slow down. Everyone is at risk.

 

In four out of five work zone-related crashes, it is the driver or passenger who is injured or killed. In 2014, nine people lost their lives in Maryland work zone crashes, including four highway workers. While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to keep traffic safely moving in work zones, please partner with us because work zone safety is everyone’s business – slow down and stay alert. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.​