(October 29, 2010) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $176,000 project to repair the Gwynn Oak Avenue Bridge over the Gwynns Falls in Woodlawn on or after Monday, November 1.  The project will be complete mid-December, weather permitting.

To create a safe work zone for crews and travelers, SHA will temporarily shift and narrow the through lanes along Gwynn Oak Avenue between Royal Oak Road and Cedar Drive for approximately seven weeks.  The median openings for left turns to side streets will remain open to traffic. 

SHA and the contractor will temporarily close the wide grass median on the bridge to protect the public from the open excavation area, and will temporarily close the sidewalk along eastbound Gwynn Oak Avenue between Cedar Drive and Purnell Drive.  Pedestrians will be able to cross over to westbound Gwynn Oak Avenue at crosswalks located at Cedar Drive and Purnell Drive. 

Crews will work behind concrete barriers during the week. However, there may be times during the day when flagpersons will direct traffic as crews move equipment or materials through the work zone. 

There will be some temporary changes to traffic patterns for motorists turning from Cedar Drive onto Gwynn Oak Avenue.  SHA will provide temporary lane markings at the end of Cedar Drive, and will move the “stop bar” on Cedar Drive so motorists can see traffic as they turn onto Gwynn Oak Avenue.

SHA will use variable message signs, temporary traffic signs, concrete barriers and traffic barrels to guide traffic through the work zone.  The State’s contractor for the project is A & M Concrete Corporation of Dulles, Va.  Citizens who have questions about this project may contact SHA’s Office of Structures at (410) 545-8383 or toll-free at 1-888-375-1084.

While SHA owns and maintains the bridge carrying Gwynn Oak Avenue (formerly MD 126), Baltimore County owns and maintains the rest of Gwynn Oak Avenue. 

SHA reminds motorists that when workers are on the road, THINK ORANGE, which is the color of construction signs, barrels and warning devices.  Please slow down, stay alert and expect the unexpected.  Choose safety for life and to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com

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