Weekend Closure Needed; Replacing Pipe Will Improve Drainage and Reduce Risk of Roadway Undermining

(October 8, 2015) – Beginning Friday, October 16 the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will restore the flow of Tyaskin Creek under MD 349 (Nanticoke Road) in western Wicomico County. This emergency roadwork will take three days and require the closure of MD 349 as crews open up the roadway to replace a deteriorated corrugated metal pipe with a 42-inch reinforced concrete pipe.

Work will begin early Friday with a single-lane flagging operation until the closure of MD 349 to all traffic at 4 p.m. Motorists will be directed to a signed detour route using Deep Branch Road and Wetipquin Road.   The closure and detour will remain in place through the weekend, with crews re-opening MD 349 by 5 a.m. Monday, October 19.

All work is weather-permitting. Crews may need to work around the clock to complete this project in one weekend. SHA appreciates the patience of area residents and apologizes for any inconvenience.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time for travel. Truck drivers are urged to evaluate routes and road conditions prior to traveling.

 

 

Tyaskin Creek flows into Wetipquin Creek at the Nanticoke River, crossing under MD 349 just west of MD 352 (Capitola Road). About 1,700 vehicles travel this stretch of MD 349 each day and the road serves as primary access and a critical emergency services link for residents of numerous communities including Tyaskin, Bivalve, Waterview and Nanticoke.

 

 

 

In addition to maintaining more than 2,500 bridges, SHA is responsible for more than 3,900 small structures including stream, stormwater and drain pipes and culverts.  Repair and replacement of these structures under SHA’s system preservation program is critical to ensuring the health of marine ecosystems, maintaining proper road drainage and reducing roadway undermining that can occur when these structures are compromised.