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. Maryland officials then began laying the groundwork for alternative forms of borrowing. 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. . 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. Learn about resources to assist in growing and strengthening your business. Was . Get traffic information in the Today view. MD Live traffic coverage with maps and news updates - US Route 301 Highway Information. The height of the new bridge will accommodate tall vessels and the project will include an all-electronic tolling (AET) system. Email or phone: Password: . Its super scary! He and others whove sought to delay the demolition of the old bridge until its shown that the action would comply with environmental laws said Monday that the new bridge can open while the old bridge is left alone. Instead, the Transportation Department subjected the application to months of scrutiny, making what Allen Garman, the Maryland authoritys director of treasury and debt, called in an email obtained by The Post seemingly unprecedented demands for unrelated bicycle projects., Garman briefed the authoritys finance committee about the application in December, saying federal officials initially wanted guarantees about an unrelated project on Interstate 95, then requested the state install bike and pedestrian lanes on another stretch of highway. In the event of inclement weather, work may occur the weekend of Oct. 13. 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) #mdtraffic #MDShorebound MDTA (@TheMDTA) June 11, 2021 It will improve the traffic safety on US 301 at the approaches to the Potomac River crossing, as well as on the bridge. On the plus side, the toll is one-way. Note that theinitial zoom level may cause overlapping of projects/traffic cones. 5425 Wisconsin Ave 7201 Corporate Center Drive Harry Hughes Conference Room, Doing Business with the Maryland Transportation Authority, Free Development Workshop With the initial model finished in 1911, the bridge was originally 41 feet above sea level, enabling only small vessels to pass under it without opening the draw. From The CapeCod.com NewsCenter Read! The Nice/Middleton Bridge opened in 1940 and carries two lanes of U.S. 301 for 1.7 miles over the Potomac, connecting Charles County, Md., and King George County, Va. Larry Hogan will lead the first cars over the bridge, according to the invitation. UPDATE At least one injured in crash on bridge. Newburg, Md 5:15 p.m.: The new bridge opened to traffic on October 12, 2022. Thomas "Mac" Middleton Bridge. Sign up for updates and alerts from the Maryland Transportation Authority, Maryland Intercounty 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. It is one of the biggest transportation initiatives taken by the state of Maryland and will benefit southern Maryland and north-eastern Virginia.. Approval by the council was one of the final steps in securing the loan, but federal officials wanted to wait pending further discussions with project sponsor regarding pedestrian safety questions, according to the agenda. Police closed the. 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 MdTA reports that the scene is cleared. It links Newburg in Maryland with Dahlgren in Virginia. It's formally called the Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. 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. Montgomery Ln Road is closed at Leonardtown Rd due to roadwork. The new four-lane bridge opened to traffic on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic via 1-877-BAYSPAN or Baybridge.com. Max Smith | maxsmith@wtop.com. Stalled federal loan increased the cost of Potomac River crossing. Collision on Nice Bridge halts traffic, injuries reported. Date of experience: April 2019 Sign up for updates and alerts from the Maryland Transportation Authority, Joppatowne High School (Media Center) Hanover, Maryland 21076 Credit: Skanska. The third of three Public Hearingswill be held March 6, 2023, from 5:30-8:00 PM to receive public and private testimony about the proposed toll rate ranges. 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. The existing bridge is a 2.7km-long, two-lane structure located on US 301 over the Potomac River. briefed the authoritys finance committee, JetBlue is at the center of two cases that could remake the industry, Metro to spend $55 million on wheel repairs after release of NTSB report, 7 in hospital as turbulence forces Lufthansa plane to divert to Dulles, Federal advisory urges railroads to improve use of safety detectors, Bus program doesnt have funding, D.C. finance chief says. The Nice-Middleton Bridge, named for former Gov. Nice/Middleton Bridge Project - Construction Construction began in July 2020 with driving concrete foundation piles in the Potomac River. Bridge Updates: EB Bay Bridge delays are at 3.5 miles. The bridge will incorporate safety enhancements such as bicycle-friendly roadway joints and intelligent transportation system tools such as lighting and signage. The worst ever! The Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (U.S. Route 301) across the Potomac River will be reduced to one lane with flagging operations alternating northbound and southbound traffic during the weekend of Sept. 22 and Sept. 29. The bridge will have 24/7 continuous flagging operations from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday each weekend. The bridge is designed to meet the current HS25 (45t) load requirements. The new Nice/Middleton bridge over the Potomac River between King George County and Maryland is scheduled to open Wednesday, but there hasnt been the first public announcement about it. The two groups will be back in court Oct. 11 for the hearing about the temporary restraining order. SoMDC appreciates all feedback from the community, along with tips, pictures, articles contributed, and support. Note: Additional traffic holds may be needed throughout the project for deliveries, movement of equipment, and other maintenance requirements. 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 555 Joppa Farm Rd. Driving directions. The work is part of the Maryland Transportation Authoritys (MDTA) project to build a new US 301 bridge to replace the 80-year-old Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge over the Potomac River. Network with Primes, MDTA Procurement Officers and MDTA CRFP Compliance Officers. All rights reserved. Yes No Public Calendar 06 The Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (U.S. Route 301) across the Potomac River will be reduced to one lane with flagging operations alternating northbound and southbound traffic during the . Mike Blair, with Johnson Mirmiran and Thompson, Inc.,an architectural engineering consulting firm explains several adjustments that have been made to the . The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has given the green light on a $463 million contract to replace the Nice Bridge, as it's known by local commuters. Tap Add "Google Traffic" . The Nice-Middleton Bridge is the gateway for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and popular cycling and pedestrian venues in Maryland and Virginia. And after a six-month delay, the Transportation Department approved the 30-year loan without new conditions. 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. Contents. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. He is hopeful that the state will keep the path in plans. WASHINGTON Maryland Gov. 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. The toll increases depending on the number of axles a vehicle has. Construction began in July 2020. The bridge is only two lanes and whenever there is an accident on the bridge, it gets shutdown for hours without any notification. Their main comments were about how narrow it is. Expect major delays on US Route 301 and avoid the area until further notice. A joint venture of Skanska-Corman-McLean (SCM) was awarded a $463m design and build contract for the bridge in November 2019. Nothing has been posted on Marylands website about the bridge opening. This is a microcosm of the broader challenges of the federal program structure, said Kevin DeGood, director of infrastructure policy at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank. If the bridge is closed, there needs to be advance notifications for motorist so that alternate routes can be taken. It came over concerns that the state has worked to cut a promised bike and pedestrian path from the project. For starters, it's about to be replaced. 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. Joppatowne High School (Media Center) Maryland is now only promising though that bikes will be able to use the bridge in some way even if it means riding with highway traffic. This one is in constant repair, and if you are afraid of bridges you probably should not drive this one. When pressed by the judge on Thursday on the timeframe, state officials said the new bridge is ready to open to traffic on Oct. 12, 2022, and that demolition of the Nice Bridge would begin in earnest the next day, according to court documents. US 301 HWN BRIDGE G14 C-316 Traffic Cam. lawmakers push for new safety regulations after deadly Silver Spring apartment fire, Winds up to 50 mph expected to sweep DC region Saturday, A 'uniquely American' challenge: Group of local universities offer ideas to reduce gun violence. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge. The Charles County Department of Emergency Services would like to notify citizens that the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge on Route 301 in Charles County is closed to traffic due to an accident. 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. US-301 at Harry Nice Bridge, Virginia Side, Traffic Camera (Charles County) Bringing US 301 across the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia, the bridge is 135 feet above the water and has a very steep grade to and from the top. I have been travelling over the Nice Bridge since the 1960's as a kid going on vacation with my family to North Carolina and still today enjoy crossing it for our vacations and all the memories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. "For too long, traffic in the Hampton Roads region has bottlenecked at the tunnel," said Governor Ralph Northam. The Board of Public Works approved a $15m contract for preliminary design and engineering and also allotted approximately $61m towards the project in the FY 2017-2022 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP). 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. Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge after getting a key approval Wednesday from the regions Transportation Planning Board. No lanes closed. Virginia contributed $13 million to the Maryland Transportation Authority project to widen and align Route 301 with the new bridge. Yuck. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. You may get stuck on it, and it does rock back and forth, as it was designed to. Live Traffic Cameras. Authorities in Charles County have confirmed that an unidentified motorist jumped off the Harry Nice Bridge around noon this afternoon. MDTA kicked off major construction in July, and the new, wider, four-lane crossing will open to traffic by early 2023. Credit: Skanska. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. Let's drive across the *very scary* Governor Harry Nice Bridge in Southern Maryland! Who thought of building a bridge so narrow, one way on, one way off! 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. Nice Bridge US-301 at MD-5 (Camera 1) MD-235 at MD-237 (Chancellor's Run Road, California) MD-260 at Cox Road (Chesapeake Beach) MD-344 at MD-224 (Indian Head) MD-4 at the Thomas Johnson Bridge (Looking toward Solomons) MD-5 at MD-246 (Great Mills Road at Sheetz) US-301 at Harry Nice Bridge, Pier 7 (Charles Co.) 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 Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Read More. You can cancel at any time. The . Claim stating a new one is coming when? 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. No 2-way at this time due to weather. You can point to this as a great example of where the administration is constrained by the law..