Closure and Detour Needed to Expedite Work on MD 54 at Mockingbird Creek near Mardela Springs and MD 349 at Windsor Creek in Nanticoke

(September 7, 2016) – Beginning mid-September, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is going to replace two Wicomico County bridges.  Each project requires a full road closure and detour for approximately 10 weeks.

MD 54 (Delmar Road) over Mockingbird Creek:
The 19-foot timber structure was built in 1940, renovated in 1996 and repaired in 2007.  SHA will replace the wood with a pre-stressed concrete slab that will dramatically reduce maintenance costs, eliminate current weight restrictions and provide a smoother ride and longer-wearing ride surface.

 

 

Crews are also constructing new retaining walls, improving drainage, paving the roadways and landscaping the area.  SHA will post two detour routes– passenger cars can use US 50 (Ocean Gateway) and Old Railroad Road; trucks will use US 50 and US 13 (N. Salisbury Boulevard/Ocean Highway).  Nearly 3,000 vehicles travel this part of MD 54 each day.

Built in 1931 with major repairs in the 1970s, this timber bridge is considered structurally deficient and has reached the end of its useful service life.  SHA will install a new 30-foot long pre-stressed concrete slab andnew walls/supporting structure, as well as reconstruct the approach roadway.

 

SHA will post the detour route for all vehicles to use Oak Grove Church Road and Jesterville Road.  An average of 2,000 vehicles cross this bridge each day, with higher volumes during summer months for recreational travel.

SHA’s contractor for both projects is George & Lynch of Dover, DE.  Construction cost is $2.3 million for MD 54/Mockingbird Creek and $2.7 million for MD 349/Windsor Creek.  Both projects contain incentive/disincentive provisions to expedite reopening of the roadways this fall.