The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will reopen the MD 18 (Main Street Drawbridge over Kent Narrows in Queen Anne’s County on Saturday. The bridge has been closed to motorists since April for repairs and painting.
Crews will continue work through late May on the bridge approaches and may close a single lane weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This work will be completed by the end of May, weather permitting.
During the painting project, engineers identified additional repairs needed. These repairs are not an immediate concern but are necessary in order to ensure the longevity of the bridge. These repairs will require additional short-term closures this fall.
“We are pleased the Kent Narrows Drawbridge is opening before the spring and summer travel season,” said Greg Holsey, SHA District 2 Engineer. “The crews deserve kudos for working around the clock in shifts to re-open the bridge.”
Last December, SHA closed the MD 18 Kent Narrows Drawbridge to marine traffic to perform preliminary work before the painting could take place. SHA then closed the bridge to vehicular traffic by opening the draw spans to repair steel, clean and paint the structure.
SHA’s contractor for the $2.1 million project is Manolis Painting, Inc., of Baltimore.
In addition to this project, drivers may also encounter mobile or short-term work zones. Always expect the unexpected, pay extra close attention and drive slowly through any work zone. Whether it’s a tree trimming operation or a bridge project, be aware when orange is there: Think Orange (the color of construction equipment and signs), stay alert and slow down. Everyone is at risk.
In four out of five work zone-related crashes, it is the driver or passenger who is injured or killed. In 2014, nine people lost their lives in Maryland work zone crashes, including four highway workers. While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to keep traffic safely moving in work zones, please partner with us because work zone safety is everyone’s business – slow down and stay alert. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.