Northbound MD 97 Motorists to be Shifted into the Median Adjacent to Existing MD 97 next Tuesday; All Lanes Will Remain Open          
          
(January 14, 2008) On or about Tuesday morning, January 22, 2008, weather permitting, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will shift traffic along northbound MD 97 (Georgia Avenue), just north of MD 28 (Norbeck Road) in Norbeck, as part of the Intercounty Connector (ICC) Contract A.           
          
The lanes of traffic along northbound MD 97 will be shifted into the newly widened median area adjacent to MD 97 starting at Thistlebridge Drive. Motorists will return back to the existing northbound MD 97 just south of Bachelors Forrest Road, a distance of less than one-quarter mile. Northbound MD 97 will continue to carry three through lanes; no lanes will be blocked, all through lanes and access to side streets will remain open.          
          
This traffic shift will be in place for approximately two years and is necessary to allow construction of the MD 97 Bridge over the ICC. The work is part of the Contract A section of the ICC from I-370 to east of MD 97 and the first of five ICC Contracts to be built. Contract A is scheduled to open in late 2010/early 2011.           
          
SHA awarded the overall $475 million contract to Intercounty Constructors, a Joint Venture consisting of Granite Construction of Watsonville, CA, Corman Construction of Annapolis Junction, MD and G.A & F.C. Wagman of York, PA. For more information about the project, citizens may call the ICC Community Outreach staff at 1-866-462-0020.           
          
Concrete barriers, temporary crash cushions, barrels, temporary traffic signs, variable message boards and arrow panels will alert and guide motorists through the work zone. SHA reminds motorists to “Think Orange” as they drive through the work zone, reduce speeds and be attentive.           
          
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