(June 21, 2010) – Tomorrow, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a $1 million project to replace the bridge deck on MD 26 (Liberty Road) over MD 97 (Old Washington Road) in southern Carroll County.  SHA anticipates completing the deck replacement project in fall, weather permitting.

The bridge, built in 1962, is structurally sound; however the concrete deck (the riding surface on the bridge) is in need of replacement.  To facilitate the deck replacement traffic on eastbound MD 26 will be detoured during construction.  Motorists traveling on eastbound MD 26 will be detoured to eastbound MD 850 (Old Liberty Road) then back to eastbound MD 26. 

Through traffic on westbound MD 26 will be maintained during construction.  The ramps from MD 26 to north and southbound MD 97 will be open and accessible throughout the project.  SHA will use variable message signs to guide motorists through the detour.  More than 11,000 vehicles travel on this section of MD 26 each day.

As part of the detour, access from Enterprise Street onto MD 26 will be restricted.  SHA will place temporary signs at the MD 26/Enterprise Street intersection temporarily prohibiting left-turns from Enterprise Street onto eastbound MD 26.  Motorists on Enterprise Street planning to access eastbound MD 26 are advised to travel north to southbound Klee Mill Road back to MD 26.

SHA awarded the contract to Chevy Chase Contractors of Silver Spring.  SHA encourages motorists to stay alert in work zones and slow down.  Citizens who have questions about traffic operations along MD 26, MD 97, MD 850 or other State numbered routes in Carroll 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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