U.S. 522 bridge to be cleaned and painted

As part of the overall effort to keep Maryland's bridges safe and in good condition, the Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin next week a $3.4 million bridge cleaning and painting project to maintain the US 522 (Warfordsburg Road) bridge over the Potomac River, C & O Canal and the CSX Tracks in Hancock, Washington County. The project should be completed by fall 2008, weather permitting.

Scheduled work includes painting the bridge superstructure (the steel beams that support the road surface on the bridge). Paint containment systems will be in place to prevent paint spray and dripping.

Although much of the work can be performed under the bridge, traffic along the two-lane bridge will be reduced to one lane toward the center span beginning April 23. SHA will install a traffic signal that will alternate traffic past a 500 foot work zone toward the center of the half-mile long bridge. The temporary signal will be in operation from April 23 to mid-fall. The lane reduction and alternating traffic pattern is necessary for equipment and work crews to reach vital areas of the bridge during the project.

Due to the steep grade of the hill approaching the bridge from the West Virginia side of US 522, SHA will implement a mandatory truck stop along northbound US 522 on the West Virginia bridge approach. Trucks will be required to pull off and stop on the right shoulder and test their brakes to ensure proper operation prior to proceeding down the steep hill. The truck stop is necessary to enhance safety approaching the work zone during construction. The mandatory truck stop will be enforced by West Virginia law enforcement.

Throughout the duration of the project, motorists can expect to see traffic guided by a temporary, mobile traffic signal, concrete barriers, variable message signs, advanced warning signs, and drums and cones. SHA will begin the work on the project at the Maryland end of the bridge and work south to the West Virginia end.

SHA awarded the contract to Alpha Painting and Construction Company of Baltimore.