(December 18, 2020) - The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has completed a bridge replacement
project on MD 355 (Urbana Pike) within the Monocacy National Battlefield in Frederick County. The $14 million project involved replacing the span over the CSX railroad tracks and enhancing access to the battlefield. The original bridge was constructed in 1930, and the replacement is part of Governor Larry Hogan’s $1.97 billion investment in highways and bridges.
“Constructing the new bridge to replace a 90-year-old structure enhances safety, accessibility and mobility along a stretch of MD 355 that sees thousands of commuters every day,” MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith said. “The valuable partnership with the National Park Service helped to make this improvement possible.”
Aside from bridge replacement, crews installed an 8-foot wide sidewalk on the east side of the new bridge, bicycle-compatible shoulders and a new water line under the bridge. MDOT SHA’s contractor, C. William Hetzer Inc. of Hagerstown, used a temporary bridge during construction to maintain two-way traffic on MD 355, a popular commuter route.
“Enhancing bike and pedestrian access reflects the multimodal approach we take whenever we make infrastructure improvements,” said MDOT Secretary Greg Slater. “Our partnership with Frederick County, local residents and the National Park Service has helped make this project an asset for the entire community.”
Since the bridge opened to traffic in August, crews have worked on elements including construction of a new retaining wall, installation of new stormwater and drainage facilities and repaving a CSX access road. Landscaping work, along with the construction of new pedestrian trails on both sides of the railroad tracks, is ongoing and will be completed in the spring as weather permits.
The project is an example of the work MDOT SHA has accomplished during the COVID-19 State of Emergency while focusing on the health and safety of customers and work crews. MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on driving and, look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones.
For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to
Project Portal. Visit our homepage at
roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to
md511.maryland.gov.
Editor’s Note:
From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders. MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.