$18 Million Infrastructure Investment Includes Wider Bridge and Major Roadway Resurfacing near Upper Marlboro

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a major construction project along MD 4 (Pennsylvania Avenue) that will benefit thousands of commuters in the Washington D.C. and Southern Maryland Regions.  Crews will replace two bridges that carry MD 4 over MD 223 (Woodyard Road) in Prince George’s County.  SHA expects to complete the project by fall 2015, weather permitting.

The $18 million construction project is one of Prince George’s County’s top transportation priorities.  Located near Joint Base Andrews and north of the county seat in Upper Marlboro, the three-mile project will also include significant repairs to MD 223 between Dowerhouse Road and Ritchie-Marlboro Road.  Improvements to the MD 4 corridor are one of the County’s top priorities for highway projects.

“This project delivers on a promise to the citizens of Prince George’s County and will enhance the safety of motorists traveling to and from Joint Base Andrews, as well as the County Seat in Upper Marlboro,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.  “This $18 million project is an investment in safety and quality of life, and furthers our efforts to build a transportation system that will meet the needs of future generations.”

The existing four span, steel beam bridges, constructed in 1962, are showing signs of deterioration.  All travel lanes will be maintained during construction.  The new bridges will be two span, steel plate girder bridges that will better support the future traffic needs.

“I’m pleased the Maryland State Highway Administration is now beginning this critical infrastructure project, which will benefit residents and businesses in Prince George’s County, as well as Southern Maryland commuters,” stated Congressman Steny H. Hoyer. “Not only do investments like these improve the safety of our roads, but they help spur economic growth in our community and strengthen our region’s competitiveness.”

The westbound MD 4 Bridge will have two lanes, an acceleration lane for northbound MD 223 traffic, and a four-foot wide inside shoulder.  The new eastbound bridge will have two lanes, a 10-foot outside shoulder, and a 24-foot inside shoulder. Wider shoulders will provide the ability for an additional future lane in each direction.  Other work includes:

•           resurfacing all four lanes of MD 223 between Ritchie-Marlboro Road and Dowerhouse Road, 

•