BALTIMORE, MD - In an effort to update and educate the public, the Maryland Transportation Authority will hold two informational meetings about planned construction work on the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge as part of the Bay Bridge Preservation Project.
The Authority, and its construction and engineering partners, began preliminary work on the Preservation Project in December 2006. Replacement of the westbound span's suspension and through truss deck sections will begin this fall.
"The Bay Bridge must be maintained so that it can continue to serve as one of the State's most critical transportation links," said John D. Porcari, Authority Chairman and Maryland Transportation Secretary. "A priority as we move forward with the Bay Bridge Preservation Project is making sure the public is aware of what we are doing, why we must do it and what plans we are putting in place to minimize the impact on motorists and residents living in the surrounding area. These meetings are part of our aggressive effort to include citizens in the process."
The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Queen Anne's County Department of Aging, 104 Powell Street in Centreville. The second is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Broadneck Senior High School, 1265 Green Holly Drive in Annapolis.
"We hope commuters and other interested citizens will take time from their busy schedules to attend one of these meetings and learn more about the Preservation Project," said Authority Executive Secretary Ronald L. Freeland. "These are the first in a series of meetings we want to hold to keep the public informed." At each meeting, Authority staff and consultants will answer questions and have educational videos, displays and handouts about aspects of the project.
Preliminary work already underway includes replacement of overhead lane signals, high and low voltage wiring and conduit on both the eastbound and westbound spans, as well as preparation for painting and railing and deck replacement.
The fall 2007 westbound span deck work will occur in the areas where drivers can see structural steel overhead when crossing the bridge. Work will be done during full overnight closures of the westbound span. During these closures, traffic will operate with one lane in each direction on the eastbound span.
Plans call for workers to remove sections of the existing bridge deck, immediately replace them with new prefabricated deck panels and have all three westbound lanes open to traffic by the next morning's rush hour. Although the Preservation Project follows up on deck rehabilitation and resurfacing work completed on other portions of the westbound span in 2005, this new project is separate and distinct work using the most advanced technologies and engineering techniques available. The project is scheduled to be complete in early 2009.
More information about the Bay Bridge Preservation Project is available at www.baybridge.com. For round-the-clock Bay Bridge traffic information call 1-877-BAYSPAN.
The Bay Bridge consists of two parallel 4.3 mile long spans - a two lane eastbound span opened in 1952 and a three lane westbound span opened in 1973.
The Maryland Transportation Authority is an independent State agency that finances, owns and operates the State's seven toll facilities. The Authority's eight Members, appointed by the Governor with consent of the State Senate, serve as the agency's policy-setting and governing body. Maryland's Secretary of Transportation serves as Authority Chairman.
Note: If you choose to use an acronym, please refer to the Maryland Transportation Authority as MdTA. Thank you.
Contact:
Cheryl Sparks
410-537-1017 |
