Still, the federal loan was more appealing because it would allow the state to lock in what would likely be a lower interest rate before drawing on the federal funds in 2023. When News Matters, It Matters Where You Get Your News. The agency had already spent $1 million on the application process, Ports wrote, and failure to close the loan would mean that public funds would be wasted.. Potomac River Bridge Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge Approximate latitude, longitude +38.36251, -76.99060 (decimal degrees) 3821'45" N, 7659'26" W (degreesminutes'seconds") Approximate UTM coordinates 18/326085/4247913 (zone/easting/northing) Quadrangle map: Dahlgren Average daily traffic (as of 2017) 17,933 Inventory number There hasnt been a public announcement, but Maryland plans to open the new Nice/Middleton bridge over the Potomac River on Wednesday and start demolition of the old bridge Thursday. Construction Timeline Fact Sheets Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge after getting a key approval Wednesday from the regions Transportation Planning Board. Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. This bridge so needs to be replaced!!! (Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority) Last week, the authoritys communication director, Kelly Melhem, wouldnt confirm any dates regarding opening of the new bridge or demolition of the old. Those documents were filed on Saturday, on the Maryland agencys behalf, by the U.S. Department of Transportation in its opposition to the temporary restraining order. Financing for New Nice Middleton Bridge Project In 2016, the state of Maryland authorised $760m in funding for the project. Mike Blair, with Johnson Mirmiran and Thompson, Inc.,an architectural engineering consulting firm explains several adjustments that have been made to the . In their court filing, Maryland officials stress that the bridge replacement has been over a decade in the making and that the authority has worked with environmental agencies, as well as the public, every step of the way. The extension of Maryland Route 3 is known as US 301. Eric Brenner, a Maryland man whos been tracking bridge activities for years, said transportation officials wouldnt have admitted the dates at all if the judge hadnt asked the direct question. more. Newburg, MD State authorities report at least one person was injured in a motor vehicle crash Sunday afternoon, June 26 on the Governor Harry Nice Bridge. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Its formally called the Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. With the loan stalled, Slater wrote to Ports in October while Slater was in California attending a convention of the influential American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Roadway realignment and the construction of 800m-long approaches on each side of the bridge will be completed as part of the project. Learn about resources to assist in growing and strengthening your business. Credit: Skanska. He is hopeful that the state will keep the path in plans. Why is this bridge so scary? Stalled federal loan increased the cost of Potomac River crossing. In February, it was put back on the federal committees agenda and the loan was closed in late April. In November 2019, the project was approved by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Board. 6 axles cost $45 for the toll! Transportation police have not released any further details about the crash at this time. The Federal Highway Administration announced today that the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District has been awarded a $400M grant to complete the final phase of the Golden Gate Bridge seismic retrofit. The lawsuit by the outdoor groups is the second attempt in three months to keep the old Nice bridge in place. Larry Hogan's office announced that the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge has been renamed. It will double vehicle capacity with four 12-foot-wide lanes, install a barrier-separated median between east- and westbound lanes and add two-foot shoulders. Based on some conversations here in California, I think we might need [to] get a put our foot down letter drafted, Slater wrote in an email. The Finance Committee Meeting homepage also provides access to the virtual meeting, schedule, agenda, materials and minutes. Check it out. Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. MDOT Headquarters Brenner was appointed by Hogan to an advisory committee on the plan to include a bike and pedestrian path, separated by a barrier, on the new 1.7 mile span. In late September, then-Maryland Transportation Secretary Greg Slater and Stephanie Pollack, the deputy administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, discussed the project by phone, according to emails. Coming back from a trip in Virginia we sat in traffic on 301 for over an hour waiting to cross the bridge. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendeslon said it was an abdication of responsibility for the regions Transportation Planning Board to allow the bridge project to move forward for federal support without the bike path, since the majority wanted the path but many members felt they could not let it get in the way of the bridge project. Understand the MBE/VSBE/DBE Programs and your role as a prime or subcontractor. The birgde will include an all-electronic tolling (AET) system. Thomas "Mac" Middleton Bridge. . There is zero need to start the demolition, other than spite, he emailed. Email or phone: Password: . Battery fire on Spirit flight to Florida sends 10 to hospital. Montgomery Ln Road is closed at Leonardtown Rd due to roadwork. Authority of the Maryland Transportation Authority, all traffic is restricted from accessing the bridge as wind speeds have reached or exceeded 55mph. You asked: Can I get a refund if the airline changed my flight time? Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Police closed the. MDTA kicked off major construction in July, and the new, wider, four-lane crossing will open to traffic by early 2023. It just doesnt make sense in this day and age to build a bridge without dedicated space for cyclists and pedestrians, said Bill Niedringhaus, president of the Potomac Heritage Trail Association. RK&K prepared environmental documents for the project, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Who thought of building a bridge so narrow, one way on, one way off! From The CapeCod.com NewsCenter Read! Watch! US 301 / Harry Nice Bridge Live Video Feed. The bridge is only two lanes and whenever there is an accident on the bridge, it gets shutdown for hours without any notification. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. About 5:33 p.m., the agency said there was 3 1/2 backup on the eastbound lanes before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The new four-lane bridge opened to traffic on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Management Offices: US 301 / Harry Nice Bridge: Archives. Replying to @WTOPtraffic. Reports from witnesses indicated at one time the backup in Charles County extended north to the US Route 301/Route 257 intersection. Federal transportation officials stalled on approving Marylands loan application last summer to replace a Potomac River bridge crossing, using a six-month delay to raise questions about bike lanes on another section of the highway. UPDATE Friday, Nov. 6 2:30 p.m. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Individuals who wish to participate and who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or who require translation services (free of charge), should contact the Title VI Office at mdtaeeo@mdta.maryland.gov or 410-537-5660 (711 for Maryland Relay) no later than three (3) business days before the date of the meeting they wish to attend. Individuals who wish to participate and who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or who require translation services (free of charge), should contact the Title VI Office at mdtaeeo@mdta.maryland.gov or 410-537-5660 (711 for Maryland Relay) no later than three (3) business days before the date of the meeting they wish to attend. The bridge spans the Potomac River and connects Virginia with Southern Maryland. We cover all of Charles, Calvert, and St. Marys Counties; along with the Southern portions of Anne Arundel and Prince Georges County. The . Maryland will move forward with rebuilding and widening the Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Sign up for updates and alerts from the Maryland Transportation Authority, Joppatowne High School (Media Center) Bridge Updates: EB Bay Bridge delays are at 3.5 miles. This feature is available on your iPhone or iPad on iOS 11 and above. Ports, who replaced Slater as state transportation secretary, said in an interview that Maryland officials were trying to make sure their position was understood by a relatively new set of leaders at the Federal Highway Administration. Under federal rules, significant progress on infrastructure can mean more road deaths and decrepit bridges. But the toll authority decided the $64 million it would cost could be better spent converting shoulders to additional driving lanes on a section of Interstate 95. Max Smith | maxsmith@wtop.com. Get with the program VA! If the bridge is closed, there needs to be advance notifications for motorist so that alternate routes can be taken. Newburg, MD- Lane Shifts Begin at the Nice/Middleton Bridge During the Week of Oct. 5 During the week of Oct. 5, 2020, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) will implement lane shifts on US 301 between the toll plaza and the existing Nice/Middleton bridge. The decision came as a disappointment to Maryland bike advocates, who viewed the bridge as a key link in what they envision as a 50-mile network spanning Maryland and Virginia. Any pressing travel updates will be posted on the MDTA's Twitter. The New Nice Middleton Bridge will replace the existing two-lane bridge with a new 3km-long four-lane structure built to the north of the existing bridge. Company Registration Number: 04683692. The new bridge will include signage alerting drivers to cyclists and special joints between sections to accommodate bikes, but Niedringhaus said even die-hard cyclists have told him theyd rather ride on the Beltway.. But Maryland transportation officials refused to alter their plans, according to the documents obtained under the Maryland Public Information Act. The state will report back by the end of the year. It is one of the biggest transportation initiatives taken by the state of Maryland and will benefit southern Maryland and north-eastern Virginia.. # MDShorebound See more. A joint venture of Skanska-Corman-McLean (SCM) was awarded a $463m design and build contract for the bridge in November 2019. $27 billion in new money aimed at fixing the nations aging bridges. What lifetime? 2. Officials expected a quick approval to lock in a favorable interest rate. Traffic Cameras; Law Enforcement. I avoid this bridge if possible. Airlines: JetBlue is at the center of two cases that could remake the industry, Transit: Metro to spend $55 million on wheel repairs after release of NTSB report, Air travel: 7 in hospital as turbulence forces Lufthansa plane to divert to Dulles, Rail safety: Federal advisory urges railroads to improve use of safety detectors, Fare-free: Bus program doesnt have funding, D.C. finance chief says. With no signs of movement on the loan application, a manager at the contractor building the bridge wrote to the toll authority in January to make sure the company would still get paid. Follow link to report fraud and/or abuse of State resources. ACCIDENT ON NICE BRIDGE -- U.S. 301 Nice Bridge all lanes still blocked due to multi-vehicle accident. It's formally called the Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. The other, the privately owned Oldtown Low Water Toll Bridge, connects Maryland and West Virginia, far upstream. Local: (410) 537-1000 - Out of Area: 1 (866) 713-1596Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. The MdTA reports that the scene is cleared. Improves safety with a barrier-separated median between east- and westbound lanes, two-foot shoulders, and other improvements that meet current safety standards, Eliminates lane-shifting safety issues at toll booths with all-electronic tolling, Enables tall ships to pass beneath its 135-foot clearance, MDTA has made all-electronic tolling permanent statewide, making, tolling works, the benefits of cashless tolling and. Specifically, the northbound lane will shift onto the existing right shoulder and the southbound lane will shift onto the existing northbound lane, as depicted below. Delay 1 mi. Newburg, MD- Lane Shifts Begin at the Nice/Middleton Bridge During the Week of Oct. 5 During the week of Oct. 5, 2020, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) will implement lane shifts on US 301 between the toll plaza and the existing Nice/Middleton bridge. Bay Bridge (US 50/301) Lane Closures and Traffic Patterns Scheduled for the Week of March 5 - 11, 2023 Thu, 03/02/2023 - 07:17 (I-895) Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Overnight Lane Closures for March 6 - 9, 2023 5425 Wisconsin Ave About Waze Community Partners Support Terms Notices How suggestions work. It is one of the biggest transportation initiatives taken by the state of Maryland and will benefit southern Maryland and north-eastern Virginia. Attempts to influence the decisions of state transportation departments such as a December memo encouraging them not to widen highways have provoked opposition from state leaders. MdTA has said the old bridge will be torn down when the new structure opens. The infrastructure package handed the Department of Transportation new discretionary grant programs and increased the size of other programs, which the administration has tied to goals like combating climate change and promoting racial justice. Any incident markers are checked for updates approximately every 5-10 minutes, but you need to reload the page to load any new updates; the data provided may still be the same status/view as before. Advocates for the bike path are exploring ways to keep the original bridge as a dedicated bike and pedestrian crossing. Use the map above to display information about active engineering and construction projects. March 2023 (33) February 2023 (280) January 2023 (291) ; Visit . Jim Ports, then the executive director of the Maryland Transportation Authority, followed up in a Sept. 30 letter to Pollack, saying his state agency lacked the authority to build bike lanes on U.S. 301 because it doesnt control the road. These lane shifts are being implemented to provide construction crews with a safe and efficient work zone to construct a new approach to the future bridge. The project is scheduled to widen the bridge from one highway lane each way today to two lanes each way on a new bridge that will be steeper than the current one. It is very high and 2 lanes and you do need to drive and not sightsee while crossing it. DOT Accident and Construction Reports. Wider sidewalks, higher railings, new lighting planned for Roosevelt Bridge. WASHINGTON Maryland Gov. Hanover, Maryland 21076 The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is replacing the existing Nice/Middleton Bridge with a new bridge that will: Double the vehicle capacity with four 12-foot-wide lanes, replacing the old bridge's two 11-foot-wide lanes Trucks larger than 10-feet wide will not be permitted to cross the bridge during flagging operations. Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (U.S. 301) across the Potomac River, and "the new bridge will include a barrier separated bicycle and pedestrian path." The worst ever! The widening of the Nice Bridge in southern Maryland will move forward after getting a key approval, but may no longer include a path residents wanted. Live Traffic Cameras. 2310 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD 21224 The bridge will incorporate safety enhancements such as bicycle-friendly roadway joints and intelligent transportation system tools such as lighting and signage. A temporary concrete barrier will be installed along the shoulder of southbound US 301 to protect work crews. It will improve the traffic safety on US 301 at the approaches to the Potomac River crossing, as well as on the bridge. Weather permitting, during the week of September 28, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., motorists are urged to slow down and exercise caution when approaching the location, as workers and vehicles will be present next to the highway preparing for the lane shifts that will begin the week of October 5. The Southern Maryland Chronicle(SoMDC) is an all-digital news source for SoMD. UPDATE: US-301 on Gov. This information is updated periodically and includes the type & description of the work being done, contract number, location, start date, and expected finish date. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. On Nov. 21, 2016, a press release announced that there would be a much-needed rebuilding of the Gov. Navigation & Live Traffic. The 1.7-mile-long, 77-year-old bridge will now also bear the name of . Let's drive across the *very scary* Governor Harry Nice Bridge in Southern Maryland! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Direct Link to Active Construction Projects Map on Google. Invitees are instructed to gather at a designated spot on the Maryland side to be shuttled to the event site. The judge hearing this case called it important, adding that it raises matters of public concern, but said . It still states the bridge is due to open early next year. Keep up to date with the latest live traffic report, news and updates from every major province and city in South Africa.