Project Will Prevent Corrosion and Enhance Longevity of Bridges           
          
(May 6, 2009) – Next week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a $1.4 million cleaning and painting project on eight SHA maintained bridges throughout Prince George’s County.           
          
The bridges serve local and commuter traffic in the county. The locations of the bridges are:          
          
• US 1 (Baltimore Avenue) over Paint Branch and bike path in College Park;          
• MD 201 (Kenilworth Avenue) over MD 450 (Annapolis Road) in Bladensburg;          
• MD 201 (Kenilworth Avenue) over US 50 (John Hanson Highway) in Cheverly;          
• MD 202 (Landover Road) over MD 704 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway) in Landover;          
• MD 212 (Powder Mill Road) over CSX Railroad in Beltsville;          
• MD 212 (Riggs Road) over Sligo Creek in Chillum; and           
• MD 500 (Queens Chapel Road) over Northwest Branch in Hyattsville.          
          
The bridge cleaning and repainting project includes stripping and repainting the steel beams and bridge structures. Weather permitting, the bridge painting project will be complete summer 2010.          
          
During construction, motorists can expect minimal delays and possible daytime single lane closures Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and possible double lane closures overnights Sunday through Thursday between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. SHA will provide variable message signs, drums, and arrow boards to guide motorists through the work zone.          
          
SHA awarded the contract to Titan Industrial Coatings Contractor. This project is one of many construction project contracts administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation, funded under the passage of President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). These projects will stimulate Maryland’s economy by preserving and maintaining jobs.          
          
This project is part of SHA’s bridge system preservation program. The bridges are structurally safe, but the cleaning and painting is necessary to help extend the service life of the bridges.           
          
Those who have questions about traffic operations on any State numbered routes in Prince George’s County may call SHA’s District 3 Office at 301-513-7300 or toll free at 1-800-749-0737. When driving through the work zone, THINK ORANGE, which is the color of construction signs, barrels and warning devices. Please slow down, stay alert and expect the unexpected. Choose to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com          
          
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