Traffic Detoured to US 50/Harry Kelly Bridge to Reach Ocean City

(October 6, 2009) – To expedite replacing an 85-foot section of the MD 90 Bridge over the Assawoman Bay, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will close the MD 90 (Ocean City Expressway) Bridge in Worcester County next week or early the following week.  This closure follows the emergency weight restriction enacted last week by SHA after a recent bridge inspection revealed deterioration within an 85-foot section of the bridge.

SHA is in the process of completing the engineering plans and procuring a contractor to do the work.  When a contractor has been procured early next week, an exact date for the bridge closure will be announced.  The goal is to have the bridge open to traffic by mid-December, weather permitting.  

Over the next two months, crews will:
- Totally remove one 85-foot section of the MD 90 Bridge over the navigational channel,
- Fabricate and set new steel replacement beams,
- Pour a new concrete bridge deck on the newly placed beams,
- Restripe the new pavement, and
- Install new raised pavement markers. 

“The MD 90 Bridge was being inspected on a more frequent basis as a result of deterioration found during a routine inspection this spring,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen.  “Our aggressive inspection schedule allowed a potentially serious problem to be found, evaluated and have action taken to maintain the safety of all vehicles.” 

The 6,000 pound weight restriction will continue for passenger vehicles until the MD 90 bridge closes.  SHA has placed temporary traffic signs and portable variable message signs on several area state roads, providing detour information for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.  When work is complete, the MD 90 Bridge will re-open and be capable of carrying all legal vehicles. 

During the closure, eastbound traffic will detour to the US 50 Bridge into Ocean City and traffic in Ocean City will be directed across the US 50 Bridge.  SHA will allow local traffic to use MD 90 to access US 113, MD 589 to Ocean Pines or Saint Martins Neck Road toward Bishopville; however no vehicles along eastbound MD 90 will be permitted beyond Saint Martins Neck Road.

SHA thanks motorists for their patience and cooperation and reminds them to use caution when driving the detour route.  For more information on State-maintained roadways in Worcester County, customers may call SHA’s District One office at 1-800-825-4742 or 410-677-4000. 

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