The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is constructing improvements along MD 261 (Bay Avenue) at the Anne Arundel / Calvert County line. The project is designed to reduce flooding impacts and enhance protections for the Town of North Beach.
Today through next Wednesday, March 17, 2021, the MDOT SHA contractor will be milling and prepping the roadway for final asphalt on Rt. 261 from 8th Street heading north to Anne Arundel County. Temporary traffic interruptions are expected, so please be cautious in this area.
The following is an update from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA). MDOT SHA continues work on the MD 261 Roadway Reconstruction Project. Crews have relocated the sewer force main, installed new steel bridge pilings, curb and gutter, and temporary driveway entrances. MDOT SHA’s contractor has also applied base asphalt paving at the bridge approaches as part of the roadway elevation changes. Once the detour was in place and work began, crews identified constructability issues with the sewer force main which required some re-design. While this re-design was underway, the contractor was mobilized to other areas of the project to continue work.
After the most recent review of the project’s schedule, it has been determined that additional time will be needed to complete the bridge. Progress permitting, the new estimated roadway opening date is March 29, 2021. This additional roadway closure time does not greatly affect the overall project completion date of summer 2021. All efforts are being taken to minimize the duration of the closure and detour and restore accessibility for the community.
MDOT SHA and its contractor have added an additional contractor crew, are working some weekends, and are taking additional and early tests of the concrete strength allowing the contractor to proceed expeditiously in the next step of the bridge construction. MDOT SHA and the Anne Arundel County Fire Department will continue its coordination with the emergency forward deployment, keeping the commitment to maintain safety at the work zone and for area residents while construction is underway. We appreciate the partnership with the Town of North Beach, Anne Arundel county, and Calvert county residents and businesses throughout construction. We are working toward a successful project completion that will enhance the community and reduce future flooding impacts.
MDOT SHA will continue to provide periodic updates on the project’s progress and additional project information is available at roads.maryland.gov within the Project Portal. Click ‘MD 261 North Beach’ to directly access the project page.
Customers who have questions about the MD 261 project and other State projects in Anne Arundel and Calvert Counties may contact the MDOT SHA District 5 Office at 410-841-1000 or by visiting roads.maryland.gov. You may also contact MDOT SHA Community Liaison Kellie Boulware at 410-841-1020.