(December 7, 2018) – The Hogan administration announces the start of construction to replace the MD 355 (Frederick Road) Bridge over Little Bennett Creek in Montgomery County. The cost of the project is $8.3 million and is part of Governor Larry Hogan’s promise to address the 69 structurally deficient bridges that were identified in 2015. The project will be complete fall 2020.

“Our administration continues to make long-overdue upgrades to our bridges to ensure we provide a safe, reliable and efficient transportation network,” said Governor Hogan. “This bridge replacement will improve travel for all who live in and drive through Montgomery County.” 

Built in 1925, the 93-year-old bridge is safe for travel, but has outlived its reliable service life. The new structure will be three feet higher with wider clearance underneath of the bridge. Other work on the project includes constructing a temporary road to carry traffic throughout construction and restoring 900 feet of Little Bennett Creek to prevent stream bank erosion.

The temporary bridge will reduce construction-related delays and expedite the overall project. In the initial phase of the project, while the temporary bridge is being constructed, motorists can expect off-peak single lane closures guided by a flagging operation until the temporary roadway is constructed. MDOT SHA’s contractor for the work is Concrete General, Inc. of Gaithersburg. Nearly 8,200 vehicles use this section of MD 355 daily.

 

 

 

(MDOT SHA photo: MD 355 Bridge over Little Bennett Creek in Hyattstown.)

While MDOT SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands.  For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, click on Road Ready, MDOT SHA's electronic construction brochure. For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto md511.maryland.gov.

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