A brand new bridge linking Maryland and Virginia over the Potomac River is scheduled to open October 13 to switch an 82-year-old span.
The $463 million Good-Middleton Bridge has been accomplished three months forward of schedule as a U.S. 301 hyperlink between Charles County, Maryland, and King George County, Virginia. The brand new bridge has 4 lanes, doubling the crossing’s capability, and 135-foot clearance for boats. The previous, slim two-lane bridge is ready for demolition October 13 after a federal decide denied a request to cease its destruction. Path advocates needed the bridge, which is parallel to the brand new one, saved for leisure use.
The brand new bridge will get $2 million value of options to accommodate lane sharing for bicyclists, who will be capable of use the bridge in early 2023, in keeping with Governor Larry Hogan’s workplace.
The bridge additionally options wider lanes, 2-foot shoulders, and a 42-inch-high concrete median to stop collisions. Hogan says the brand new bridge will enhance security, emergency response, and upkeep and inspection.
New expertise to enhance visitors management is being put in. The Clever Transportation Methods embrace digital message indicators, a digital weigh station, a climate station, cameras and a push-button, warning-beacon system for bicyclists crossing the brand new span.
The brand new bridge may also not have any toll cubicles. As a substitute, it is going to use highway-speed, all-electronic tolling.
The venture entails creating 100 acres of recent oyster beds within the decrease Potomac River basin. Three of the 5 deliberate seedings have occurred.
The design-build group consisted of a three way partnership of Skanska, Corman Kokosing Building and McLean Contracting. The contract was awarded in February 2020.