(June 3, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will repair the MD 290 (Crumpton Road) Bridge over Chester River in Kent County beginning Monday, June 8. Work includes concrete repairs and resurfacing of the bridge deck (driving surface).

Recognizing the importance of this bridge to local agriculture, SHA scheduled this approximately two-week project to minimize impacts on farming operations.  Repairs should take about one week for each lane, with crews working around the clock to expedite the process. SHA will use a flagging operation to maintain a travel lane for all legal-width loads throughout construction.  Wide loads and farm equipment may be able to cross the bridge during certain work phases but passage is not guaranteed.  Wide load drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and seek alternate routes if necessary June 8-22.  All dates are weather-permitting.

The 364-foot long steel beam bridge, constructed in 1950, is just west of Crumpton at the Kent/Queen Anne’s County line. Current work, in conjunction with previous substructure repairs (beneath the deck) and repainting, will extend the service life of the bridge an estimated 20-30 years. This work will also minimize the need for frequent deck patching and significantly reduce maintenance costs for the next several years.

On average, about 2,000 vehicles travel this stretch of MD 290 each day and the bridge is a vital link for farmers moving large equipment during the planting and harvesting seasons. Covington Machine and Welding of Annapolis is the contractor for the estimated $200,000 repairs.

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.

 
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