by Geoff Fox
Two bridge projects by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration are still ongoing and both are past the halfway point.
The bridge replacement project on I-68 over Creek Road is the furthest along at 80% complete with an estimated completion later this summer.
Work began on the bridge in October 2023.
According to the MDOT SHA website, recent work has included setting Stage 2 girders and diaphragms on both east and westbound sides, placing SIP forms State 2, shot shear studs Stage 2, forming all haunches and east and westbound Stage 2.
The website said crews will continue overhang installation Stage 2 westbound, finishers rubbing/grinding abutment stems/wingwalls, and prepping for shear stud installation westbound and for Stage 2 deck pour on both east and westbound I-68.
The area of Creek Road has been limited to one lane or closure many times during the project.
The two bridges were originally constructed in 1963 and have been safe for vehicles to drive on, but the deck surfaces were nearing the end of their useful service life, said highway officials.
Should the deterioration have continued, weight restrictions would have needed to be posted for safety reasons, which would have an impact on the local economy since I-68 functions as a primary route for traffic traveling through Western Maryland.
The project also saves money on future maintenance spending on the bridges, highway officials say.
The U.S. 522 bridge over eastbound I-70 is about 59% complete and is estimated to be complete in November.
This is not the U.S. 522 bridge over the Potomac River, which there are no plans to replace in the immediate future.
Work on the bridge over I-70 began in June 2024.
Last month, crews completed SIP Forms and Shear Studs Stage 2, installed a drainage system MH 5-1 to EW 5-1 and riprap and concrete ditch, began installing drainage system 6-1, and began replacing deck rebar.
The plan for this month includes continuing to place deck rebar, installing drainage system 6-1 and prepping for Stage 2 deck pour.
There have been detours since the beginning of the project as well as lane closures.
The bridge over I-70 eastbound was constructed in 1963 and has been safe for travel, and like the I-68 bridge over Creek Road, the bridge deck surface was nearing the end of its useful service life, highway engineers have determined.
Since U.S. 522 functions as a primary travel route for people traveling through Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, the SHA rehabilitated the bridge to save money on future maintenance spending.