Contract C: Status
West of US 29 to East of I-95
Click here to read about temporary day time closures to the Little Paint Branch Trail in Contract C.
Current Activities
- Concrete bridge construction work in the median and alongside US 29 and I-95
- Steel bridge construction along Old Columbia Pike
- Installation of 72" stormwater pipe behind Tanglewood community and Montgomery Autopark
Future Activities
- Construction of sound walls adjacent to Tanglewood and Greencastle communities
- Opening of "new" Old Columbia Pike to traffic in fall 2009
- Redesign of Edfinn Road to tie into new Old Columbia Pike in late 2009
Status Overview
It has been a busy spring on Contract C, starting with a visit by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley in late April. Accompanied by Maryland Transportation Secretary John Porcari and State Highway Administrator Neil Pedersen, Governor O'Malley closely observed rebar work on the top of a bridge pier from inside the bucket of a lift and assisted workers with a concrete pour into a bridge abutment -- both on the east side of US 29. He was also briefed on the ICC's environmental mitigation and stewardship program by Project Director Melinda Peters and Environmental Manager Rob Shreeve. The briefing included an overview of the "Rain for Rent" system that was created especially for the ICC project to help clear sediment from stormwater runoff. Sediment laden stormwater is drawn into a machine via pumps and a harmless organic liquid is added. The water is sent through a settling tank, sand filters, and bag filters. The water is tested to ensure that it is clean and free of the processing additives, then is discharged to a stream. Governor O'Malley had the opportunity to see the "Rain for Rent" system in action behind the Tanglewood community across from the Montgomery Autopark.
Besides the governor's visit, work has continued on multiple bridges in the medians and alongside US 29 and I-95, as well as at Old Columbia Pike. Concrete footings, abutments, and piers are now clearly visible to motorists traveling those high volume corridors and in May, steel arrived on site at the bridge that will carry Old Columbia Pike traffic over the ICC just west of US 29. Lane shifts will be necessary along Old Columbia Pike in the area of Sherview Lane and Edfinn Road as crews prepare to shift traffic onto the new Old Columbia Pike bridge this fall. Motorists are encouraged to look for variable message signs and "flaggers" when lane shifts occur during the coming months in those areas. Because of the heavy rains this area experienced in April and May, evening, night, and Sunday work may be necessary to enable the contractor to stay on schedule. Any time evening, night, and Sunday work is required, affected residents will be notified as far in advance of the activity as possible.
The next issue of the "Construction Update" newsletter will be published in June and distributed by mail or e-mail. It will also be posted on this web site. The newsletter will include information about what construction activities residents and business can expect to see within the Contract C limits (Old Columbia Pike to I-95) over the next three months, including sound wall construction adjacent to the communities of Tanglewood and Greencastle. If you are currently not on the mailing list to receive the newsletter but would like to be, please go to the "Sign Up Now" link in the lower right corner of this web site's home page and sign up!
