March 17th, 2022 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin work next week on the final phase of the MD 51 (Oldtown Road) bridge deck replacement project in Allegany County. Beginning Monday, March 21,and continuing through the end of summer, crews will work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays to remove the existing deck, install temporary shoring and dig out the abutments on the bridge, which is over the C&O Canal.

Traffic on the bridge during construction will be reduced to one alternating lane, with use of temporary traffic signals on each end to alternate traffic through a single lane. Access to the adjacent park and the trail underneath the bridge will be maintained during construction.

This project involved rehabilitating the MD 51 bridge, which was originally constructed in 1932. The bridge is safe for travel, but the bridge deck surface is nearing the end of its useful service life and needed to be replaced.

MDOT SHA contractor Carl Belt Inc. of Cumberland, will perform the work. Signage, cones and barrels will be in place to alert motorists of work zone. A barrier wall will be installed to protect workers during construction. Learn more about the project here.

MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on driving, and look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Please drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones. Motorists in need may dial #77 on their mobile device for roadside assistance.