The $28.9 million project will officially begin in late July and be completed in the summer of 2021.
In Arbutus, Md., which is located in Baltimore County, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is heading up a project to replace the U.S. 1 (Washington Boulevard) Bridge over the CSX Transportation rail line. The $28.9 million project will officially begin in late July and be complete in the summer of 2021.
The project is part of the $2 billion investment in highway and bridge improvements across the state that Gov. Larry Hogan announced in June 2015.
"Our administration is committed to providing transportation solutions statewide, which includes critical infrastructure projects in Baltimore County," said Hogan. "We will continue to focus on and invest in important projects like these to bring real and much-needed traffic relief to our citizens."
According to Charlie Gischlar, media relations manager for MDOT SHA, the original steel girder bridge was built in 1929. Although it is still deemed safe for travel, it has reportedly outlived its useful service life.
The contract was awarded to Lane Construction of Glen Burnie, Md.
The contract calls for the new structure to be 120 ft. longer and 4 ft. higher than the original.
"This will enable CSX Transportation to add future rail lines, a rail service road and added height to allow for double stacked freight cars," Gischlar said.
The wider structure also will accommodate wide shoulders, as well as a new left-turn lane from northbound U.S. 1 to Clark Boulevard. The contract also includes new retaining walls along U.S. 1 and reconstruction of the Clark Boulevard intersection to accommodate the new left-turn traffic movement.
"Of the 5,286 bridges in Maryland, MDOT SHA maintains 2,567 bridges," Gischlar explained. "Maryland has one of the lowest percentages of structurally deficient bridges in the nation due to investments in bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects and proactive inspections and repairs to keep bridges safe. As of June 30, MDOT SHA has met Governor Hogan's promise to address all 69 structurally deficient bridges identified in 2015."
Approximately 18,200 vehicles travel this section each day. Plans are for the U.S. 1 bridge over CSX to remain open to traffic during all three stages of construction. There will be temporary lane closures and traffic shifts in both directions, with crews work 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday night through Friday morning, as well as Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Occasional late-night detours of U.S. 1 also will be needed for steel beam removal and replacement work.
Gischlar reported that to date, Lane Construction, has completed a significant amount of storm water management pond work. About 90-percent of the storm drain work is completed. Currently, work continues on the 36-in. and 16-in. water main, as well as storm drain work.
"The contractor will continue finishing up water-main work and will start excavating for footing and start driving piles," he said. "Demolition of the existing bridge and sidewalk on the bridge will follow in late-summer."
Equipment used on the project includes graders, skid steers, excavators, loaders, a log skidder, cranes, pavers, rollers, a bridge screed, pile drivers, generators, jackhammers and air compressors.
Major subcontractors include Stolar Construction Inc. of Hanover, Md.; Midlantic Marking Inc. of Gaithersburg, Md.; Fields Trenching and Excavating Inc. of Baltimore, Md.; Long Fence Inc. of Odenton, Md.; Island Builder Services Inc. of Chester, Md.; Collinson Inc. of Glenmoore, Pa.; Eds Planets World of Brandywine, Md.; DRM Associates Inc. of Manchester, Md.; Aultec Inc. of Gaithersburg, Md.; Reliable Contracting Company Inc. of Odenton, Md.; Road Safety Inc. of Rocklin, Calif.; EMC2 Inc. of Rockville, Md.; Interlock Steelworkers Inc. of Mt. Airy, Md.; and Traffic Engineering Service LLC of Laurel, Md.
CEG
Brenda Ruggiero
Brenda Ruggiero has written for CEG for over 20 years. She lives near the town of Accident in far western Maryland. Her favorite assignments so far involved interviews with Survivor’s Boston Rob and hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut. Both were involved in construction at one time.
Brenda holds a BA in Mass Communication with a writing focus from Frostburg State University and minors in Public Relations and Political Science. She works full time as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper, the Garrett County Republican. She enjoys feature writing the most, which gives her the opportunity to talk to people and share their stories.
Brenda and her middle school sweetheart, Reuben, have been married for over 34 years and have three grown children and four cats.
Read more from Brenda Ruggiero here.
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