The US 13 Business (Market Street) drawbridge over the Pocomoke River is scheduled to close to vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic beginning Monday, September 21, as the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration begins a major cleaning and painting project.
The project was originally scheduled to begin September 8, but SHA has since moved the start date to September 21. The completion date remains November 8, weather permitting. The 1921 drawbridge will remain in the open position throughout the project, meaning the bridge will be closed to land traffic while the river channel remains open to marine traffic.
The project involves removing the existing paint from the bridge’s steel members and applying a new protective coating. According to SHA, the entire drawbridge will need to be contained during the work to protect the Pocomoke River from the painting operation.
Detour route
Motorists will be directed around the closure using a signed detour that includes:
- MD 364 (Market Street)
- US 13 (Ocean Highway)
- MD 250A (Old Virginia Road)
- US 13 Business (Market Street)
Olympus Painting Contractors, Inc., of Tarpon Springs, Florida, will use concrete barriers, barrels and cones to manage traffic through the detour. Arrow panels and variable-message signs will be placed in advance to alert motorists to the closure and changing traffic patterns.
SHA said the maintenance work is needed to address corrosion on the bridge’s steel members and maintain the structural integrity of the 1921 structure. Drivers traveling through the area during the project should expect changing traffic patterns and are being asked to slow down and remain alert in the work zone.
The project is scheduled to continue through November 8, weather permitting.
Editor’s Note: SHA initially announced a September 8 start date before notifying media that the project had been rescheduled to September 21. The completion date was not changed.
