​(March 17, 2020) - This week, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is enacting its work plan to reduce impacts from standing water along a section of the MD 450 (Defense Highway) corridor.

Today crews will start removing accumulated sediment within a section of Bell Branch and a stream channel that runs alongside MD 450. Accumulated sediment and debris will also be removed from the existing culverts.  During 2019, engineers performed a hydraulic analysis and determined that the Bell Branch had shifted closer to the MD 450 travel lanes. This work seeks to restore Bell Branch to its original channel, reestablish the natural ground elevations, and decrease the presence of water on the roadway.

Initial work will take place off-road without traffic impacts. As work progresses, drivers may be directed using a flagging operation or with intermittent daytime or overnight complete closures. Lane closure information will be provided and available at https://chart.maryland.gov.

MDOT SHA areawide contractor Romano Construction is performing the work. Additional MD 450 information is available at www.roads.maryland.gov under the MDOT SHA District 5 Project Portal page for the “MD 450 Corridor Management and Drainage Improvements” information page.

MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our contractor. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on the road and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to www.roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time commute conditions, go to ​md511.maryland.gov.

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