(March 17, 2015) --- Maintenance on the MD 18 (Main Street) Drawbridge over Kent Narrows in Queen Anne’s County is scheduled to begin on or about Saturday, March 21 and should be complete by mid-May, weather permitting. The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will detour all vehicular traffic along MD 18 to US 50/US 301 during the maintenance work, keeping the drawbridge in the open position for cleaning and painting.
MD 18 (Main Street) drawbridge in Kent Narrows with span open.
The detour is 2.5 miles in length and should not add more than five minutes of additional travel time. The drawbridge will also be closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The $2.1 million project was awarded to Manolis Painting, Inc., of Baltimore.
“SHA coordinated our efforts with businesses and residents impacted by the bridge maintenance project ,” said Greg Holsey, SHA District 2 Engineer. “By working together as partners, SHA will be able to assure motor vehicle access, continued support for local businesses, and access to residents’ homes throughout the eight-week detour.”
Eastbound MD 18 traffic will detoured onto the access ramp to US 50 East, located just west of Wharf Road. After crossing the Kent Narrows, traffic will exit US 50 at Exit 42 onto Seward Marina Road to continue along MD 18. Eastbound traffic may turn right on to MD 18 for local access, but will not be able to travel cross the Kent Narrows Drawbridge.
Westbound MD 18 traffic will turn right (north) onto Kent Narrows Road, located just west of Seward Marina Road, and pass under the US 50 bridge. Traffic will then turn right to continue along Kent Narrows Road toward the Exit 42 on-ramp for US 50 west, before merging onto westbound US 50. After crossing the Kent Narrows, traffic will exit US 50 at Exit 41 onto Piney Narrows Road and travel under the US 50 bridge to the intersection with MD 18. Turning right will allow drivers to continue westbound travel along MD 18. Westbound traffic may turn left onto MD 18 for local access, but will not be able to travel across the Kent Narrows Drawbridge.
The existing two-lane drawbridge, constructed in 1952, is scheduled for maintenance work that includes cleaning, painting and minor rehabilitation. The planned repairs are typical for a structure of this age and type of service. The paint system being used will ensure the drawbridge will not need to be painted again for 20 years.
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