Detour Ahead: MD7 Bridge Over James Run to Close by Mid-June

From a news release:

The Maryland State Highway Administration will close the MD 7 (Philadelphia Road) bridge over James Run in Harford County mid-June to remove and replace the structure.  Weather permitting, the new bridge will open to traffic in late August.

The bridge, built in 1924, is safe for travel; however, it is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. The state will build a slightly wider two-lane bridge with five-foot shoulders on both sides of the travel lanes to improve safety. The new single-span bridge will not have a center support pier in the stream and will be about two feet higher than the old bridge to improve water flow along James Run.  

“SHA is closing the road entirely to expedite the bridge replacement and reopen MD 7 to traffic before the start of the school year,” said SHA District Engineer Dave Peake. “During the closure, motorists should plan extra travel time for travel on MD 7.”

The bridge closure and detour may begin any day after Thursday, June 12, when the Harford County Public School year ends.  SHA will place digital message signs along MD 7 two weeks prior to the start of the project. 

During the summer bridge closure, MD 7 will be open for local traffic only north and south of the bridge.  All through travelers - motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians - traveling on MD 7 between Abingdon Road and MD 543 (Riverside Parkway) will be directed to use US 40 (Pulaski Highway) as an alternate route.  However, motorists may also use I-95 between Exit 77, MD 24 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway) and Exit 80, MD 543 as an alternate route. 

The bridge carries about 11,630 vehicles per day; the bridge closure is scheduled for the summer months when traffic volumes are lower and Harford County Public Schools are closed.  SHA will make every effort to complete the work and reopen the bridge as quickly as possible to minimize inconvenience to the community and through travelers.

The $2 million bridge replacement project includes: removal of the two-span concrete girder and slab bridge; construction of a new single span prestressed concrete bridge; reconstruction of the roadway approaches to the bridge; installation of new traffic signs and pavement markings; construction of new stormwater management facilities along MD 7; and landscaping in the project area.

The entire project will be complete fall 2014, weather permitting. Click here for more information on this project.

SHA’s contractor for the project is Daisy Concrete Inc. of Newport, Del. Residents who have concerns or questions about the bridge project may contact SHA’s District Four Office – Construction Division at 410-229-2420, toll-free at 1-866-998-0367 or shadisttrict4@sha.state.md.us.