Long Railroad Delays to End along MD 450 and Upshur Street in Bladensburg, Prince George’s County          
          
(September 12, 2008) – Great news for motorists and residents who patiently waited for long freight trains to pass MD 450 (Annapolis Road) near the historic Peace Cross in Bladensburg, Prince George’s County!           
          
The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) and CSX Transportation will switch rail traffic to the new overpass along MD 450 near the Peace Cross and at Upshur Street, eliminating the at-grade crossings. Weather permitting, on Sunday, September 14 after 5 p.m., the days of waiting for freight trains to pass along MD 450 and Upshur Street will be gone forever.          
          
“One of the greatest benefits, in addition to reducing rail-related traffic congestion, will be the improved response time for area emergency personnel to reach people in need,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “This is certainly great news for motorists who regularly travel along MD 450 each day in Bladensburg.”          
          
During the switch, there should be minimal impact to motorists. More than 40,000 vehicles travel along MD 450 in Bladensburg daily. Traffic is expected to exceed 63,000 vehicles by 2030. Each day, more than 25 trains cross at-grade along MD 450 near the Peace Cross, stopping traffic for an average of 15 minutes at a time. Traffic back ups can reach up to one-mile in each direction during peak morning and afternoon hours.           
          
The entire 1.2-mile project includes construction of two additional bridges to carry rail traffic over Upshur Street and a tributary to the Anacostia River in Bladensburg. Sidewalks that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are also included under the new crossing. SHA and our contractor, Balfour Beatty of Pennsylvania, will be completing concrete work, resurfacing approach roads at each crossing and landscaping. The overall $74 million project will be completed by fall 2009, weather permitting.          
          
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