(April 7, 2021) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is scheduled to perform emergency work for about one week starting on or after Friday, April 9, to replace a broken 48-inch metal drainage pipe beneath and across MD 136 (Priestford Road), one-half mile south of Cool Spring Road in Harford County.
MDOT SHA previously repaired the failing pipe in summer 2020; however, the pipe must be completely replaced with a new concrete pipe. Due to the narrow width of the roadway, MDOT SHA must close part of MD 136 to through traffic between US 1 (Conowingo Road) and MD 22 (Churchville Road) to perform the work. A detour for through traffic, shown right, will be established.
MDOT SHA anticipates the road closure and detour will begin 9 a.m. Friday, April 9, and remain in effect 24/7 through 9 a.m. Friday, April 16. This schedule may change in the event of inclement weather.
The closure and detour will be in effect throughout the week-long pipe replacement. The 12-mile detour route will be posted on state highways including US 1 (Conowingo Road), US 1 Bypass, MD 543 (Fountain Green Road) and MD 22 (Churchville Road). Local driveways and side streets north and south of the work zone on MD 136 (700 block of Priestford Road) will be open and accessible during the pipe replacement work.
For drivers traveling south on MD 136, the detour for through traffic during the week-long closure will impact MD 136 south of Dublin. From MD 136 South, drivers will:
- Turn right onto US 1 South (Conowingo Road), and proceed to US 1 Bypass to MD 543.
- Then turn left onto MD 543 (Fountain Green Road) South to MD 22.
- Then turn left onto MD 22 (Churchville Road) East back to MD 136.
For those traveling north on MD 136, the detour will impact MD 136 north of Churchville. Drivers will:
- Turn left onto MD 22 West to MD 543.
- Then turn right onto MD 543 North to US 1; and
- Turn right onto US 1 Bypass North and proceed on US 1 North back to MD 136.
Crews will use portable digital message signs, reflective barrels, traffic barriers and portable construction traffic signs to alert motorists to the road closure and guide them through the detour route.
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. Please 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.