Later this year, or sometime next year, crews will begin work on replacing the Motter Avenue bridge over Route 15 in Frederick. The span was first built in 1958, says Heather Keel, District Community Liaison with the local State Highway Administration office. She says the project will also include some widening and installation of newer sidewalks. "The road widening will improve the flow of traffic getting on to and off of US 15," she says. "And the bridge replacement will also address some deterioration of the concrete bridge deck. And the bridge will also become safer for pedestrians and bicyclists with the addition of shoulders and wider sidewalks."

A public meeting on the project is scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 5th from 6:30 until 8:30 at the Governor Thomas Johnson High School cafeteria. A presentation will start at 6:45, featuring SHA District Engineer Dave Coyne and City Engineer Zach Kersher. Residents who come are encouraged to ask questions.

"They’ve already started doing some preliminary work away from the roadway, and we’re looking to move into the part affecting traffic. It could be as early as this  fall, or as late as next summer," Keels says. The project is expected to be finished by the fall of 2014.

During construction, the bridge is expected to remain open to traffic. "But drivers are going to see some lane shifting, and pedestrians is going to be rerouted on to a temporary pedestrian bridge," Keels says.

The project is estimated to cost $15.2-million dollars, and is a joint venture between the City of Frederick and the SHA.