The second of four planned weekend closures of MD 213 at Old Mill Stream Branch is set for August 16-19. This is the bridge at the south end of town, between Hillside and Citgo. Detour signs will be posted. We'll close MD 213 at the bridge at 7 p.m. Friday night and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday morning.
For the past few weeks crews have been working in small excavated areas underneath the roadway steel plates. With this closure we're aiming to remove the plates, place the second concrete reinforcing cage and form and pour both abutments. This is a very ambitious weekend - we need good weather and we'll likely need the full 58-hour closure window. By Monday morning we'll have the steel plates back in place to keep traffic flowing through the week.
One of the unusual features and complications with this particular project is the Corsica River tidal influence - crews are continually battling water in the abutment work areas from the tide as well as heavy rains.
Access to Citgo, Red Zone Pizza, etc. will be from the downtown area (north of the bridge). Access to Hillside, American Legion and establishments south of here (e.g., McDonald's, Food Lion) will be from the south (US 301).
Again, this closure is at the south end of town and no traffic impacts are expected this weekend at the other bridge work site (Gravel Run on the north end). Southbound MD 213 drivers coming from North Brook, Church Hill, etc. can proceed straight into town all the way to the Citgo if necessary. You'll just need to turn around and use MD 304 or MD 305 to access US 301 from this point.
Remember this closure begins at 7 p.m. Friday and is continuous through the weekend - plan accordingly if you're headed to the Queen Anne's County Fair Friday night or Saturday.
The attached photo shows the new bridge taking shape alongside the existing one. The metal "deck pans" in between the beams will hold the concrete for the new bridge deck roadway/ride surface. Crews are building concrete forms and soon they'll begin placing the reinforcing steel for the new deck.
As always, thanks for your patience and don't hesitate to contact me anytime with questions.
Bob Rager
Maryland State Highway Administration
Community Liaison/Spokesperson