(February 14, 2008) - The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will this Friday re-open the US 50 (Harry W. Kelly Bridge) into Ocean City. Traffic has been detoured since January 17 as crews repaired the grid deck and other mechanical components of the drawbridge. The bridge should re-open Friday by noon.          
          
“Hard work and long hours allowed workers to finish the job ahead of schedule,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “We are appreciative of the teamwork that went into opening the Ocean City Bridge in advance of the President’s Day holiday weekend. The crews from Covington Machine and Welding and SHA worked 12 hours-a-day for 21 days straight to get the Bridge open by February 15th and their hard work is appreciated.”          
          
The closure of the US 50 bridge was necessary to replace the existing bascule span grid decking, sidewalk grid decking and purlins (small beams that support the grid deck) with galvanized decking, which prevents corrosion of the bridge’s steel. SHA awarded the $1.2 million project to Covington Machine and Welding Inc. of Annapolis.           
          
Additionally, for the next two weeks through the end of February, single-lane closures may occur weekdays between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to complete repairs under the sidewalk.          
          
SHA thanks motorists for their patience during construction and reminds them to always buckle up, and drive with courtesy and caution.           
          
          
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