Today, this bridge connects two rural areas in Virginia and Maryland. He is hopeful that the state will keep the path in plans. Let's drive across the *very scary* Governor Harry Nice Bridge in Southern Maryland! 2023 Southern Maryland News & Entertainment. 5425 Wisconsin Ave Virginia contributed $13 million to the Maryland Transportation Authority project to widen and align Route 301 with the new bridge. 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. In 2016, the state of Maryland authorised $760m in funding for the project. The MdTA responded that it was too expensive to maintain, as a 2015 study estimated almost $50 million in costs over a 30-year period. The law gives federal officials little say in how projects are designed generally requiring them to approve loans to creditworthy applicants but Marylands application was pulled from the agenda of the Transportation Departments Council on Credit and Finance in August. Federal transportation officials stalled on approving Marylands loan application last summer to replace a Potomac River bridge crossing, using a six-month delay to raise questions about bike lanes on another section of the highway. The Federal Highway Administration announced today that the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District has been awarded a $400M grant to complete the final phase of the Golden Gate Bridge seismic retrofit. The Nice-Middleton Bridge, named for former Gov. Learn about resources to assist in growing and strengthening your business. Weather permitting, during the week of September 28, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., motorists are urged to slow down and exercise caution when approaching the location, as workers and vehicles will be present next to the highway preparing for the lane shifts that will begin the week of October 5. It is one of eight toll facilities operated by the Maryland Transportation Authority, and is one of two toll bridges over the Potomac River. The agency had already spent $1 million on the application process, Ports wrote, and failure to close the loan would mean that public funds would be wasted.. Any pressing travel updates will be posted on the MDTA's Twitter. In July, three Maryland legislators asked for an independent study to see if the old bridge, which opened in 1941, could be repurposed for recreational usage. Yuck. It is very high and 2 lanes and you do need to drive and not sightsee while crossing it. She said the authority would provide appropriate notice to the media and the public regarding opening activities.. The New Nice Middleton Bridge Project will replace the Governor Harry W Nice Memorial / Senator Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge across the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia in the US. 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. UPDATE Friday, Nov. 6 2:30 p.m. 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. 555 Joppa Farm Rd. Maryland politicians float the idea of not demolishing the old bridge when the new span over the Potomac River is finished, but it sank. You have permission to edit this article. The decision came as a disappointment to Maryland bike advocates, who viewed the bridge as a key link in what they envision as a 50-mile network spanning Maryland and Virginia. UPDATE: US-301 on Gov. Harry Hughes Conference Room, Doing Business with the Maryland Transportation Authority, Free Development Workshop Its super scary! Financing for New Nice Middleton Bridge Project In 2016, the state of Maryland authorised $760m in funding for the project. Crews are now working on demolishing and removing the old bridge - a process that will carry into 2024. Charles County Commissioners President Reuben Collins pleaded with the state to include the path to help tourism, provide another connection between Maryland and Virginia, and effectively plan for the 100-year life span of the bridge, but said the approval Wednesday was needed to keep the bridge project on track. Yo. Get traffic information in the Today view. Edit . I think its reasonable that with new people, you would have different questions, Ports said. 6 axles cost $45 for the toll! It will include four, 12ft-wide lanes with 2ft shoulders. The bridge will have 24/7 continuous flagging operations from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday each weekend. About 5:33 p.m., the agency said there was 3 1/2 backup on the eastbound lanes before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. And after a six-month delay, the Transportation Department approved the 30-year loan without new conditions. The new bridge opened to traffic on October 12, 2022. It is free when heading north but the charge for a regular car is $6.00 when traveling south. Under federal rules, significant progress on infrastructure can mean more road deaths and decrepit bridges. Improves safety with a barrier-separated median between east- and westbound lanes, two-foot shoulders, and other improvements that meet current safety standards, Eliminates lane-shifting safety issues at toll booths with all-electronic tolling, Enables tall ships to pass beneath its 135-foot clearance, MDTA has made all-electronic tolling permanent statewide, making, tolling works, the benefits of cashless tolling and. 2310 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD 21224 You asked: Can I get a refund if the airline changed my flight time? Harry W. Nice Bridge Update at COMREL. The bridge is currently used by approximately 18,000 vehicles a day. The Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland Transportation Authority said the path is still possible when a final contract is awarded this fall, but only if bids from contractors are low enough. No lanes closed. Get with the program VA! The project is scheduled to widen the bridge from one highway lane each way today to two lanes each way on a new bridge that will be steeper than the current one. You may get stuck on it, and it does rock back and forth, as it was designed to. In 2019, the agency responsible for Marylands toll roads and bridges decided not to include a proposed bike and pedestrian path as part of a $463 million replacement of the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge, about 37 miles south of Washington. We cover all of Charles, Calvert, and St. Marys Counties; along with the Southern portions of Anne Arundel and Prince Georges County. Authorities in Charles County have confirmed that an unidentified motorist jumped off the Harry Nice Bridge around noon this afternoon. more. 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. Live Traffic Info Live Traffic Info Check before before you leave: Check BaySpan Check your Route Check the Cameras Check the Weather Check Traffic Advisories Check MDTA Twitter Be Aware of Weather Conditions affecting Bridge Traffic: Fog will reduce visibility and slow traffic speed Rain will reduce visibility and slow traffic speed Network with Primes, MDTA Procurement Officers and MDTA CRFP Compliance Officers. Feb 25, 2017. Attempts to influence the decisions of state transportation departments such as a December memo encouraging them not to widen highways have provoked opposition from state leaders. It supports about 6.5 million vehicles annually. There hasnt been a public announcement, but Maryland plans to open the new Nice/Middleton bridge over the Potomac River on Wednesday and start demolition of the old bridge Thursday. The state will report back by the end of the year. The Finance Committee Meeting homepage also provides access to the virtual meeting, schedule, agenda, materials and minutes. March 2023 (33) February 2023 (280) January 2023 (291) Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. Road Closed. Listen! The birgde will include an all-electronic tolling (AET) system. Perhaps we can offer them the old bridge for bicycles and save on the cost of demolishment.. Their main comments were about how narrow it is. Roadway realignment and the construction of 800m-long approaches on each side of the bridge will be completed as part of the project. There was a problem saving your notification. The outdoor groups waited until the new bridge was complete and just days before the demolition of the old bridge is set to begin to seek emergency relief, the court document states. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. It came over concerns that the state has worked to cut a promised bike and pedestrian path from the project. Charles County Citizens may call a designated non-emergency telephone number, 301-609-3435, Local: (410) 537-1000 - Out of Area: 1 (866) 713-1596Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Please replace this rusty bunch of bolts! Local leaders in Charles County previously concluded they couldnt manage the cost of maintaining the bridge, and the transportation authority plans to demolish it, using the debris to build a fish reef. US 301 / Harry Nice Bridge: Archives. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. Transportation police have not released any further details about the crash at this time. US 301 HWN BRIDGE G14 C-316 Traffic Cam. Here's how to check on traffic and delays: Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions. [4] The new Nice Bridge opened to traffic in October 2022. On Feb. 9, Garman wrote to colleagues to say the loan remained uncertain and that the delay would cost an estimated $20 million more as interest rates crept up. Max Smith | maxsmith@wtop.com. The two groups will be back in court Oct. 11 for the hearing about the temporary restraining order. I travel this bridge on a daily basis, and I can not wait until the new on is built. Note that theinitial zoom level may cause overlapping of projects/traffic cones. The Governor Harry W Nice Memorial / Senator Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge was built in 1940. MDOT Headquarters Connector (ICC)/MD 200. UPDATE 5:37 p.m.-. No 2-way at this time due to weather. But the bulk of federal highway money is passed to states with few conditions on how it is spent. The episode highlights the challenges faced by the Transportation Department, which under the Biden administration is seeking to promote bike and pedestrian safety, racial equity and the environment. You should see nearby traffic information in the Today view. At 3:33 p.m., Charles County Government issued the following advisory: Crain Highway (US Route 301) on the Harry Nice Bridge is back open in both directions. The work is the Maryland Transportation Authoritys $5.4 million project to repair the substructure and superstructure of the Nice Bridge. 41.878 | -87.630. But Maryland transportation officials refused to alter their plans, according to the documents obtained under the Maryland Public Information Act. At 3:30 p.m. there are reports and visual evidence (via traffic cam) that the crash on the Harry Nice Bridge has been cleared. Its a dynamic that will help shape $350 billion for road funding thats part of the infrastructure law, which gives states near-complete control over which projects move forward and leaves federal authorities looking for informal ways to influence what gets built. 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. Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Yesterday at 11:30 AM. Any incident markers are checked for updates approximately every 5-10 minutes, but you need to reload the page to load any new updates; the data provided may still be the same status/view as before. "For too long, traffic in the Hampton Roads region has bottlenecked at the tunnel," said Governor Ralph Northam. . MdTA has said the old bridge will be torn down when the new structure opens. Maryland Route 3 was extended to the Potomac River from Mattawoman to connect to the bridge. Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301) MDTA Active Construction Projects: Use the map above to display information about active engineering and construction projects. The Transportation Department said in a statement that the loan to Maryland ultimately closed to the satisfaction of both parties.. Last week, the authoritys communication director, Kelly Melhem, wouldnt confirm any dates regarding opening of the new bridge or demolition of the old. As our region grows, this area is likely to transform into a walkable, livable community that demands the necessary accommodations for safe travel, Collins said. 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. Police closed the. Invitees are instructed to gather at a designated spot on the Maryland side to be shuttled to the event site. Motorists should expect alternating, 15-minute traffic holds. At a cost of $463 million, the new bridge over the Potomac is the largest construction project in Maryland history, according to its website. Stalled federal loan increased the cost of Potomac River crossing. In late September, then-Maryland Transportation Secretary Greg Slater and Stephanie Pollack, the deputy administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, discussed the project by phone, according to emails. 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 . MDTA kicked off major construction in July, and the new, wider, four-lane crossing will open to traffic by early 2023. Harry Hughes Conference Room, Doing Business with the Maryland Transportation Authority, Free Development Workshop The state of Virginia will provide $13m in funding for the project. Claim stating a new one is coming when? Use the map above to display information about active engineering and construction projects. UPDATE At least one injured in crash on bridge. This information is updated periodically and includes the type & description of the work being done, contract number, location, start date, and expected finish date. They got caught trying to be sneaky/deceptive, Brenner wrote in an email. On the lock screen of your iPhone or iPad, swipe left to right until you see a list of widgets. It will improve the traffic safety on US 301 at the approaches to the Potomac River crossing, as well as on the bridge. The . 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. Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge. MD Live traffic coverage with maps and news updates - US Route 301 Highway Information. Note: Additional traffic holds may be needed throughout the project for deliveries, movement of equipment, and other maintenance requirements. Thomas "Mac" Middleton Bridge. Read More. 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. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), AAA Survey Reveals Growing Apprehension Toward Fully Self-Driving Vehicles, Charles County Public Schools to Open Early Learning Center at College of Southern Maryland, Navy Senior Alex Smith Nominated for Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, Maryland Youth Mental Health Affected by COVID-19, Finds State Survey, Board of Public Works extends BWI concession contract as new vendor is identified, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. 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. Specifically, the northbound lane will shift onto the existing right shoulder and the southbound lane will shift onto the existing northbound lane, as depicted below. On Friday, the day after the court hearing, invitations to a ribbon-cutting ceremony were emailed to various government officials, including those in King George County. Motorists can expect some residual backup, however, so proceed with caution and expect delays. The bridge is designed to meet the current HS25 (45t) load requirements. 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. Facebook. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. The Finance Committee Meeting homepage also provides access to the virtual meeting, schedule, agenda, materials and minutes. DOT Accident and Construction Reports. The lorry was carrying 24 pallets of wine, according to the fire service, and no injuries have been reported. Credit: Skanska. 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) #mdtraffic #MDShorebound MDTA (@TheMDTA) June 11, 2021 Bay Bridge (US 50/301) Lane Closures and Traffic Patterns Scheduled for the Week of March 5 - 11, 2023 Thu, 03/02/2023 - 07:17 (I-895) Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Overnight Lane Closures for March 6 - 9, 2023 The New Nice Middleton Bridge will replace the Governor Harry W Nice Memorial / Senator Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge on the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. Expect major delays. Brenner was appointed by Hogan to an advisory committee on the plan to include a bike and pedestrian path, separated by a barrier, on the new 1.7 mile span. Larry Hogan (R) announced a plan in 2016 to replace it with a new crossing that would carry four lanes of traffic and include a separated bike and pedestrian path. 7201 Corporate Center Drive Always repairing instead of replacing. Please subscribe to keep reading. The route it is on is a good one to take when wanting to avoid the beltway around DC. 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. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This May 2014 photo shows the Harry Nice Bridge, which carries U.S. 301 over the Potomac River between Virginia and Maryland. The height of the new bridge will accommodate tall vessels and the project will include an all-electronic tolling (AET) system.