(April 29, 2010) – On Friday, April 30, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close one of the two lanes on the MD 17 (Petersville Road) bridge over the Potomac River in Brunswick, Frederick County.  This work is part of a project SHA began in fall 2009 to perform maintenance on the 57-year old bridge.  SHA will install and activate a temporary traffic signal on the bridge on Friday following the morning commute to maintain traffic.  The lane closure and temporary traffic signal will remain in place through fall, weather permitting. 
 

The MD 17 bridge in southern Frederick County serves as a vital connection between Maryland and Virginia.  SHA will install a temporary traffic signal to maintain traffic on MD 17 during the bridge maintenance.  More than 4,800 vehicles travel on this section of MD 17 each day.  In addition to the single-lane closures, sidewalk closures should be expected during construction.  SHA will place appropriate signs to advise pedestrians of closures. The sidewalk along the west side of the bridge will remain open daily between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Although the bridge is structurally sound, it is in need of preventative maintenance to extend its usable life.  Routine maintenance will reduce the likelihood of costly repairs in the future.  SHA rigorously inspects state bridges at least once every two years to ensure the safety of the traveling public. 

SHA will clean the bridge, apply a new protective non-lead based coating to the steel girders, and make minor repairs.  Protective coatings on structural steel prevent corrosion and are designed to last approximately 30 years. 
 

SHA will take precautions to ensure public safety and prevent lead debris from impacting the environment.  Crews will install a containment system prior to removing the lead based coating.  The containment system is designed to ensure dust or debris generated from removal of existing coating is collected and disposed of properly.  An on-site inspector trained to remove lead paint will monitor its removal.

SHA awarded the contract to Blastech Enterprises, Inc. of Baltimore.  Citizens who have questions about traffic operations along MD 17, or other State numbered routes in Frederick County, may call SHA’s District 7 Office at 301-624-8100 or toll free at 1-800-635-5119. 

Remember that work zones are not only large construction projects possibly taking years to complete, but smaller, mobile operations such as mowing, pothole repair and litter pick-ups.  Choose to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com.

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