(September 14, 2011) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has completed dozens of bridge inspections and is working to open washed out roads as soon as safe to do so. In the recent days after the storms, divers were unable to perform underwater inspections due to dangerous water currents in streams, brooks and rivers. As water receded to safe levels, underwater bridge inspections resumed and SHA was able to open most roads. Southern Prince George’s, Charles and Anne Arundel counties received a range of rainfall between 10-15 inches during Irene and Lee.
“Maryland received as much rain as it did during Hurricane Agnes in 1972, when dozens of roads and bridges were damaged or destroyed,” said Acting SHA Administrator Darrell B. Mobley. “These recent storms did cause damage along critical routes and we are working to get them open as soon as possible. We regret the inconvenience caused to drivers who use these roads daily.”
There are five sections of roadway that remain closed due to damage from the recent rains from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Weather permitting, SHA will have at least two of the roadways open this Friday, September 16.
The following is a list of roads and bridges that are still closed and their current status of repair (Clicking on hyperlink will launch a map of the affected area):
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MD 234 (Budds Creek Road) over Allens Fresh Run (east of US 301, south of La Plata, Charles County) –
Temporary bridge to open by mid-November. Roadway is closed at the bridge and a posted detour is in effect. The detour is: MD 234 to MD 236 (Thompsons Corner Road) to MD 6 (Charles Street) to US 301.
MD 234 over Allens Fresh Run is a bridge structure (greater than 40 feet) that has been compromised. SHA is procuring a temporary bridge to expedite opening the road to traffic. SHA is working with local utility companies to relocate extensive exposed utilities. The temporary bridge and approach roadways should be open to traffic by mid-November, weather permitting. A design is underway for a permanent replacement of the bridge, which will cost approximately $3 million and be complete by late-2012.
MD 234 at Allens Fresh
“We know the detour for MD 234 adds a lot of time and mileage for commuters,” said Mobley. “We are doing everything we can to get the road open as soon as possible.”
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MD 2 (Ritchie Highway) ramp to westbound MD 100 (Anne Arundel County) –
Ramp to re-open mid-fall. Underground drainage pipe replacement. SHA will replace 180 feet of concrete drainage pipe. This will entail excavation of the damaged culvert pipe, replacement, backfill, paving and re-striping. The ramp will be closed until mid-fall. A temporary detour is in place using southbound MD 2 to MD 177 (Mountain road) to the first right and then onto westbound MD 100. The estimated cost of the repair is $500,000.
Southbound MD 2 ramp to westbound MD 100
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US 301 (Crain Highway) north of MD 6 (Port Tobacco Road) – (La Plata, Charles County) –
Opens September 16 -- Road repair to be complete and right lane opened by this Friday, September 16. The damaged section of roadway is mostly contained to the shoulder and side of the road. The estimated cost of the repair ranges between $250,000-$300,000. Currently the left lane is blocked and the right lane is open along southbound US 301.
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US 301 south of MD 6 - (La Plata, Charles County) –
To open early October -- This section of US 301 is more extensively damaged than the section north of MD 6. The estimated cost for the repair is between $600,000 and $700,000. SHA constructed a temporary southbound lane in the median to allow one lane to pass. SHA traffic engineers evaluated traffic flows and there have been no significant back ups using a single southbound lane on US 301. All repairs should be complete by early October, weather permitting. SHA reduced the width of the single southbound lane from 12 feet to 10 feet 6 inches to slow down traffic that was passing at a high rate of speed.
US 301 at MD 6
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MD 381(Brandywine Road) over Timothy Branch in (Prince George’s County)
Opens September 16 – Temporary road repair will be completed by this Friday, September 16, weather permitting. The temporary repair includes replacing a
small section (less than 20 feet) of drainage pipe under the road, backfilling and paving. The cost of the repair will range between $125,000-150,000. The long-term project to repair the road is still being developed.
MD 381 over Timothy's Branch
SHA is committed to safety and accessible roadways across the State. Customers who experience any issues with SHA-maintained roadway (Numbered, non-tolled roads) can log onto
www.roads.maryland.gov and click on “Contact us.” Here, customers can complete an online service request form that is electronically routed to the appropriate SHA facility.
Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information! Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit:
www.md511.org for current travel information. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely - Maryland law restricts hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.
Citizens who have questions about the weather-related road and bridge closures can contact Bob Rager, SHA District Community Liaison at 1-800-331-5603 or by e-mail at
rrager@sha.state.md.us.