(May 10, 2021) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has completed replacement of the MD 355 (Frederick Road) Bridge over Little Bennett Creek in Hyattstown, Montgomery County. The $16.7 million project replaced the 96-year-old bridge and was part of Governor Larry Hogan’s 2015 pledge to address aging bridges throughout the state.
“Investing in infrastructure is more important than ever as we continue our recovery from the pandemic, get more people back to work and build a sustainable economic recovery,” said Governor Hogan. “We will continue to focus on repairing and modernizing our infrastructure in ways that drive long-term economic growth, address short-term recovery and encourage innovation and efficient approaches to transportation.”
Built in 1925, the former bridge was safe for travel but had outlived its useful service life. The new structure is three feet higher with wider clearance underneath the bridge. Drivers will notice a much-improved, smoother driving surface on the bridge deck and approaches. Other work included restoring 900 feet of Little Bennett Creek to prevent stream bank erosion.
“The new bridge improves safety and accessibility for the thousands of motorists and other users who use this stretch of Frederick Road every day,” said MDOT Secretary Greg Slater. “We appreciate the collaboration with our partners in Montgomery County – local officials, residents and other stakeholders – who contributed in bringing this critical project to completion.”
MDOT SHA contractor Concrete General Inc. of Gaithersburg performed the work. The project is an example of the critical efforts undertaken by MDOT SHA during the COVID-19 State of Emergency while maintaining a focus on the health and safety of our crews and the public.
“MDOT SHA continues to deliver projects that make our transportation network safer and more efficient,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith. “In examples like the bridge structure over Little Bennett Creek, we are making strategic decisions for projects now based on a long-term vision of the future needs for our entire highway infrastructure.”
MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on driving and, look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Please drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones.
For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to
Project Portal. Visit our homepage at
roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to
md511.maryland.gov.
Editor’s Note
From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders. MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.