Three new projects will begin very soon, says SHA.
Frederick, Md (KM) Three more bridges are being replaced in Frederick County.
The Maryland State Highway Administration says these projects are part of Governor Larry Hogan’s promise to address 69 structurally deficient bridges in Maryland, according to spokesman Charlie Gischlar. “There’s going to be one at Maryland 355– you know it as Urbana Pike–bridge over Bennett Creek; Also, in Knoxville Road, which is Maryland 478., over the little branch to the Potomac River; and finally, Point of Rocks Road, Maryland 464 bridge over Little Catoctin Creek. So we’re getting ready to crank them up,” he says.
At Maryland 355 over Bennett Creek, SHA says the new bridge will be three feet higher to enable greater water flow underneath, which is expected to reduce the frequency of flooding. “We’re also going to be building that bridge about 150-feet north of the existing structure,” says Gischlar. “The reason is because we’re going to end up stabilizing about 2300 feet of Bennett Creek to prevent the slope erosion and also to reduce that roadway flooding as well.”
SHA says it will begin construct a temporary roadway in November which will shift traffic until the construction is complete. Work is expected to be finished by late fall 2020 at a cost of $13.2-million.
The original bridge was built in 1924. About 8500 vehicles cross that bridge each day, SHA says.
Rt. 355 bridge (Urbana Pike) over Bennett Creek
Regarding the Maryland 478 bridge (Knoxville Road) over a branch of the Potomac River, SHA says replacement work is expected to be completed by late fall, 2020 at a cost of $4.8-million. “Next year, early 2019 through mid-fall 2019, we’re going to close that bridge to traffic,” says Gischlar. “Local traffic will have access up to the point of the bridge closure, for the motorists around that area and residents.”
Other drivers will be diverted to Route 17 to Route 180 and back to Route 478. Motorists can also use US 340.
About 3500 vehicles cross that bridge each day, says SHA. It was constructed in 1925.
Rt. 478 (Knoxville Rd) bridge over a branch of the Potomac River
Preliminary work will begin in mid-November on the Maryland 464 (Point of Rock Road) bridge which crosses Little Catoctin Creek. Gischlar says it will include more than just lanes for motor vehicles to travel. “It’s a $4-million project. Also includes a wide bridge to include bicycle-capability shoulders and stabilizing a little section of Little Catoctin Creek,” he says.
“In the summer of 2019, MDOT{Maryland Department of Transportation} SHA is going to close and detour that roadway until December, 2019. At which time, the bridge will be replaced,:” says Gischlar. Traffic will be detoured along Oliver School Road to Maryland 180 (Jefferson Pike) to Maryland 17 (Petersville Road). Due to increased traffic, SHA says it will install a temporary traffic light at Olive School Road and Maryland 180 which will last through the duration of the project.
The cost of the project is $4-million. The original span was built in 1933.
Rt. 464 (Point of Rocks Road) bridge over Little Catoctin Creek.
SHA says these are three of 12 bridge replacement projects underway in Frederick County. Crews are at work replacing the Route 355 bridge over the railroad tracks at the Monocacy National Battlefield, and the Route 28 bridge over the Monocacy River.
By Kevin McManus