But Maryland transportation officials refused to alter their plans, according to the documents obtained under the Maryland Public Information Act. 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. Note: Additional traffic holds may be needed throughout the project for deliveries, movement of equipment, and other maintenance requirements. The project will provide an improved crossing of the Potomac River, which will be consistent with the approach roadways of US 301. 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. Tap Done. UPDATE: US-301 on Gov. Its super scary! On the Harry Nice Bridge TWO CAMERAS: US Route 301 / Harry Nice Bridge on the Virginia Side: Archives. US-301 at Harry Nice Bridge, Virginia Side, Traffic Camera (Charles County) 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. Fast, informative and written just for locals. Chesapeake Traffic Alerts For More In-Depth VA Traffic and Road Conditions See: Official Virginia 511 Traffic site 511 Hampton Roads on Twitter @511hamptonroads Update: Delay: EB on I-64 at I-64 Tunnel-HRBT E in Hampton. In November 2019, the project was approved by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Board. The outdoor groups desire to have a separate path for bikers and walkers does not amount to irreparable harm, according to the court filing, and comes too late in the process. ACCIDENT ON NICE BRIDGE -- U.S. 301 Nice Bridge all lanes still blocked due to multi-vehicle accident. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. When pressed by the judge on Thursday on the timeframe, state officials said the new bridge "is ready to. These lane shifts are being implemented to provide construction crews with a safe and efficient work zone to construct a new approach to the future bridge. Also, I would suggest not using it as an alternate route, if there happens to be an accident (which happens pretty often) you may have a long delay. The judge hearing this case called it important, adding that it raises matters of public concern, but said . Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. We cover all of Charles, Calvert, and St. Marys Counties; along with the Southern portions of Anne Arundel and Prince Georges County. This entry was posted on September 12, 2017 at 9:56 am and is filed under All News, Charles News, Community, County, More News, z 600X120 Top Ad Bottom, z 600X120 Top Ad Top. 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. Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. I-895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Toll Plaza and Interchange Improvements Project, News Release: In Historic Ceremony, Governor Hogan Dedicates New Potomac River Crossing 10-12-2022, In Historic Ceremony, Governor Hogan Dedicates New Potomac River Crossing, $200 MILLION FEDERAL LOAN APPROVED FOR NICE/MIDDLETON BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT, MDTA BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES TOLL MODERNIZATION PACKAGE SAVING CUSTOMERS $28 MILLION OVER 5 YEARS, MDTA TO HOST ONLINE PRESENTATION FOR NEW NICE BRIDGE PROJECT ON JANUARY 18, Governor Larry Hogan Announces $765 Million for New Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge, More New Nice Bridge Traffic Advisories >>, ETL TOLL RATE RANGE SETTING PUBLIC HEARING, Doing Business with the MDTA Development Workshop, Finance Committee Meeting - March 9, 2023. This information is updated periodically and includes the type & description of the work being done, contract number, location, start date, and expected finish date. Listen! Airlines: JetBlue is at the center of two cases that could remake the industry, Transit: Metro to spend $55 million on wheel repairs after release of NTSB report, Air travel: 7 in hospital as turbulence forces Lufthansa plane to divert to Dulles, Rail safety: Federal advisory urges railroads to improve use of safety detectors, Fare-free: Bus program doesnt have funding, D.C. finance chief says. Replying to @WTOPtraffic. Traffic Changes Coming to Nice/Middleton Bridge Oakland, CA Traffic and Road Conditions - LocalConditions.com 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. Was . I avoid this bridge if possible. Stalled federal loan increased cost for Nice/Middleton Bridge - The Reports from witnesses indicated at one time the backup in Charles County extended north to the US Route 301/Route 257 intersection. Motorists can expect some residual backup, however, so proceed with caution and expect delays. The new Nice/Middleton bridge over the Potomac River between King George County and Maryland is scheduled to open Wednesday, but there hasnt been the first public announcement about it. . Construction began in July 2020. When the path was dropped from the plan in 2019 and Maryland transportation officials said bikers could share a lane with vehicle traffic, Brenner resigned his position in protest. 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. Learn about resources to assist in growing and strengthening your business. SoMDC covers every aspect of the SoMD Region and will continue to grow with the community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. The Maryland Transportation Authority, which operates toll roads and bridges, had already been working with federal authorities for more than a year when the state formally applied for the loan last summer to help replace the 80-year-old bridge. What lifetime? Construction - New Nice Middleton Bridge Project | MDTA Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Yesterday at 11:30 AM. Please subscribe to keep reading. Read More. Mike Blair, with Johnson Mirmiran and Thompson, Inc.,an architectural engineering consulting firm explains several adjustments that have been made to the . Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. M4 Prince of Wales Bridge fire LIVE: Traffic updates as lorry carrying It still states the bridge is due to open early next year. Credit: Skanska. The cross-section of the bridge will be consistent with that of the US 301 approach roadway in Maryland and Virginia. The Transportation Department said in a statement that the loan to Maryland ultimately closed to the satisfaction of both parties.. UPDATE 5:37 p.m.-. It is very high and 2 lanes and you do need to drive and not sightsee while crossing it. Wider sidewalks, higher railings, new lighting planned for Roosevelt Bridge. 41.878 | -87.630. Instead, the news came out last week in court, when representatives from the Maryland Transportation Authority and several biking and walking groups had a preliminary hearing in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. No 2-way at this time due to weather. On the lock screen of your iPhone or iPad, swipe left to right until you see a list of widgets. The bridge is only two lanes and whenever there is an accident on the bridge, it gets shutdown for hours without any notification. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Invitees are instructed to gather at a designated spot on the Maryland side to be shuttled to the event site. Maryland officials said it was that decision that appeared to bring additional federal scrutiny. MdTA has said the old bridge will be torn down when the new structure opens. Bridge Updates: EB Bay Bridge delays are at 3.5 miles. Keep up to date with the latest live traffic report, news and updates from every major province and city in South Africa. The existing bridge is a 2.7km-long, two-lane structure located on US 301 over the Potomac River. Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge. The Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland Transportation Authority promised to continue to look at the possibility of adding the bike path back into the plan, but would not promise anything. This information is updated periodically and includes the type & descriptionof the work being done, contract number, location, start date, and expected finish date. A) The traffic flow is updated at loadtime and upon movement outside the initial map view, or upon refresh of the page. Harry Nice Bridge | SCARY POV Driving! - YouTube Not just Nice anymore: Md. governor renames Harry Nice Bridge Perhaps we can offer them the old bridge for bicycles and save on the cost of demolishment.. Under federal rules, significant progress on infrastructure can mean more road deaths and decrepit bridges. 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. He and others whove sought to delay the demolition of the old bridge until its shown that the action would comply with environmental laws said Monday that the new bridge can open while the old bridge is left alone. For details visit Nice/Middleton Bridge Updates. Calls must be made one hour prior to arrival at the bridge and will only be accepted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Realtime driving directions based on live traffic updates from Waze - Get the best route to your destination from fellow drivers. 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. 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 Let's drive across the *very scary* Governor Harry Nice Bridge in Southern Maryland! Here's how to check on traffic and delays: Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions. Coming back from a trip in Virginia we sat in traffic on 301 for over an hour waiting to cross the bridge. In December, Slater wrote to Garman to wish him a happy birthday. PDF Alert: Harry Nice Bridge Closure - charlescounty.org 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. MDTA is implementing the project to improve traffic movement and safety. The outdoor enthusiasts, including the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail Association, have asked for a temporary restraining order on the demolition of the old bridge because they want it used as a bike and pedestrian path. No overweight vehicles, more than 80,000 pounds, will be permitted to cross the bridge when there is construction. Construction of the new bridge will begin in 2020 and is expected to be completed by 2023. US-301 at Harry Nice Bridge, Virginia Side, Traffic Camera (Charles County) If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The Finance Committee Meeting homepage also provides access to the virtual meeting, schedule, agenda, materials and minutes. If the bridge is closed, there needs to be advance notifications for motorist so that alternate routes can be taken. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Newburg, Md 5:15 p.m.: 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. 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. As part of the process to greenlight a $200 million loan, our team did its due diligence, which includes asking standard questions and exploring alternatives that could benefit the people who rely on the bridge and help protect safety, which is a priority in everything that DOT does, the statement said. Local: (410) 537-1000 - Out of Area: 1 (866) 713-1596Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Industry forum announced for Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge - WTOP 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. Live Traffic Cameras - Southern Maryland News Net Management Offices: Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Bay Bridge (US 50/301) Lane Closures and Traffic Patterns Scheduled for the Week of March 5 11, 2023, (I-895) Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Overnight Lane Closures for March 6- 9, 2023, Bay Bridge (US 50/301) Lane Closures and Traffic Patterns Scheduled for the Week of February 26 March 4, 2023, Bay Bridge (US 50/301) Lane Closures and Traffic Patterns Scheduled for the Week of February 26 March 4, 2023, ETL TOLL RATE RANGE SETTING PUBLIC HEARING, Doing Business with the MDTA Development Workshop, Finance Committee Meeting - March 9, 2023. It is one of the biggest transportation initiatives taken by the state of Maryland and will benefit southern Maryland and north-eastern Virginia.. The state will report back by the end of the year. 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. DOT Accident and Construction Reports. The height of the new bridge will accommodate tall vessels and the project will include an all-electronic tolling (AET) system. Charles County Citizens may call a designated non-emergency telephone number, 301-609-3435, About 5:33 p.m., the agency said there was 3 1/2 backup on the eastbound lanes before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Driving directions, live traffic & road conditions updates - Waze Bay Bridge (US 50/301) Lane Closures and Traffic Patterns Scheduled for the Week of February 26 - March 4, 2023 Thu, 02/23/2023 - 05:59 Bay Bridge (US 50/301) Lane Closures and Traffic Patterns Scheduled for the Week of February 26 - March 4, 2023 Thu, 02/23/2023 - 05:56 More Traffic Advisories >> WAS THIS PAGE HELPFUL? 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. Learn about resources to assist in growing and strengthening your business. Any pressing travel updates will be posted on the MDTA's Twitter. WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM, Critical vote coming on widening of Nice Bridge in Southern Maryland, Bridge plan that tells bikes to ride with 50 mph traffic over Potomac is questioned, Fight over Potomac River bridge plan that would put bikes on highway, Md. New Nice Middleton Bridge Project, United States of America 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. The Governor Harry W Nice Memorial / Senator Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge was built in 1940. 2. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). (Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority) Bringing US 301 across the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia, the bridge is 135 feet above the water and has a very steep grade to and from the top. 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. Transportation police have not released any further details about the crash at this time. US 301 Maryland Traffic and Road Conditions - Navbug MDTA kicked off major construction in July, and the new, wider, four-lane crossing will open to traffic by early 2023. To achieve those goals, the federal agency must work with states that sometimes have other priorities and typically have the final say. Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301) MDTA Active Construction Projects: Use the map above to display information about active engineering and construction projects. Based on some conversations here in California, I think we might need [to] get a put our foot down letter drafted, Slater wrote in an email. Navigation & Live Traffic. Get traffic information in the Today view. Collision on Nice Bridge halts traffic, injuries reported They are trying to cover their dirty tracks just as quickly as they can, he said, leaving no option for consideration of allowing bicycling and pedestrian access on the existing bridge.. lawmakers push for new safety regulations after deadly Silver Spring apartment fire, Winds up to 50 mph expected to sweep DC region Saturday, A 'uniquely American' challenge: Group of local universities offer ideas to reduce gun violence. March 2023 (33) February 2023 (280) January 2023 (291) Receive the latest updates on upcoming procurement opportunities. All rights reserved. Originally called the Potomac River Bridge, it was renamed in April 1968. 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. This bridge so needs to be replaced!!! more. When pressed by the judge on Thursday on the timeframe, state officials said the new bridge is ready to open to traffic on Oct. 12, 2022, and that demolition of the Nice Bridge would begin in earnest the next day, according to court documents. Expect major delays. Golden Gate Bridge District Awarded $400M Federal Grant to Complete Seismic Retrofit. Scary Bridge - Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge - Tripadvisor Traffic Advisories & Emergency Alerts | MDTA Garman told board members that, in his view, the federal money was in jeopardy..