The New Nice Middleton Bridge will facilitate the maintenance of two-way traffic flow along US 301 during accidents, bridge maintenance and rehabilitation works. Transportation police have not released any further details about the crash at this time. Leave now. Today, this bridge connects two rural areas in Virginia and Maryland. The New Nice Middleton Bridge is expected to be completed by 2023. Credit: Skanksa. From The CapeCod.com NewsCenter Read! Claim stating a new one is coming when? The crash, which occurred around 2 p.m. snarled traffic in both directions for well over an hour. I avoid this bridge if possible. Nothing has been posted on Marylands website about the bridge opening. Nice Bridge US-301 at MD-5 (Camera 1) MD-235 at MD-237 (Chancellor's Run Road, California) MD-260 at Cox Road (Chesapeake Beach) MD-344 at MD-224 (Indian Head) MD-4 at the Thomas Johnson Bridge (Looking toward Solomons) MD-5 at MD-246 (Great Mills Road at Sheetz) US-301 at Harry Nice Bridge, Pier 7 (Charles Co.) Please zoom in to identify individual projects using the instructions below. Construction started in July 2020 and has been completed several months ahead of schedule. Expect major delays. US 301 / Harry Nice Bridge: Archives. Trucks larger than 10-feet wide will not be permitted to cross the bridge during flagging operations. All US 301 Maryland Traffic Cameras. We cover all of Charles, Calvert, and St. Marys Counties; along with the Southern portions of Anne Arundel and Prince Georges County. Maryland officials then began laying the groundwork for alternative forms of borrowing. 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. The worst ever! Facebook. The approval on an unusually contentious 17-7 vote allows Maryland to move forward with an application for a large low-interest federal loan crucial to the projects financing plan. Contents. The bridge was already under construction without the path, and Maryland refused to consider alterations to the plans. In the event of inclement weather, work may occur the weekend of Oct. 13. The project will provide an improved crossing of the Potomac River, which will be consistent with the approach roadways of US 301. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The project began in spring 2017 and is expected to be complete in early 2019. Yuck. Management Offices: 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. You have permission to edit this article. Its formally called the Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. 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? Motorists should expect alternating, 15-minute traffic holds. It is one of eight toll facilities operated by the Maryland Transportation Authority, and is one of two toll bridges over the Potomac River. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. Receive the latest updates on upcoming procurement opportunities. Roadway realignment and the construction of 800m-long approaches on each side of the bridge will be completed as part of the project. In their court filing, Maryland officials stress that the bridge replacement has been over a decade in the making and that the authority has worked with environmental agencies, as well as the public, every step of the way. 2023 Southern Maryland News & Entertainment. Joppatowne, MD 21085. On Nov. 21, 2016, a press release announced that there would be a much-needed rebuilding of the Gov. This information is updated periodically and includes the type & descriptionof the work being done, contract number, location, start date, and expected finish date. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. The two groups will be back in court Oct. 11 for the hearing about the temporary restraining order. The state will report back by the end of the year. UPDATE: US-301 on Gov. It is one of the biggest transportation initiatives taken by the state of Maryland and will benefit southern Maryland and north-eastern Virginia. They got caught trying to be sneaky/deceptive, Brenner wrote in an email. 2310 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD 21224 Even when the bridge was reopened, traffic in both directions initially proceeded slowly. US-301 at Harry Nice Bridge, Virginia Side, Traffic Camera (Charles County) Navigation & Live Traffic. But the toll authority decided the $64 million it would cost could be better spent converting shoulders to additional driving lanes on a section of Interstate 95. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. This feature is available on your iPhone or iPad on iOS 11 and above. Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge after getting a key approval Wednesday from the regions Transportation Planning Board. 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic via 1-877-BAYSPAN or Baybridge.com. Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (U.S. 301) across the Potomac River, and "the new bridge will include a barrier separated bicycle and pedestrian path." The MDTA is reporting that traffic is alternating lanes at this time while emergency crews tend to the victims and crash debris. The work is part of the Maryland Transportation Authoritys (MDTA) project to build a new US 301 bridge to replace the 80-year-old Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge over the Potomac River. On the Harry Nice Bridge TWO CAMERAS: US Route 301 / Harry Nice Bridge on the Virginia Side: Archives. MDTA kicked off major construction in July, and the new, wider, four-lane crossing will open to traffic by early 2023. Construction began in July 2020. Driving directions. 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. Motorists can expect some residual backup, however, so proceed with caution and expect delays. Invitees are instructed to gather at a designated spot on the Maryland side to be shuttled to the event site. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Potomac River Bridge Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge Approximate latitude, longitude +38.36251, -76.99060 (decimal degrees) 3821'45" N, 7659'26" W (degreesminutes'seconds") Approximate UTM coordinates 18/326085/4247913 (zone/easting/northing) Quadrangle map: Dahlgren Average daily traffic (as of 2017) 17,933 Inventory number They collect too much money for the bridge to be in that condition! 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. Collision on Nice Bridge halts traffic, injuries reported. Local: (410) 537-1000 - Out of Area: 1 (866) 713-1596Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. The Board of Public Works approved a $15m contract for preliminary design and engineering and also allotted approximately $61m towards the project in the FY 2017-2022 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP). Traffic Cameras; Law Enforcement. 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. Tap Add "Google Traffic" . 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. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has given the green light on a $463 million contract to replace the Nice Bridge, as it's known by local commuters. 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. Nice/Middleton Bridge Project - Construction Construction began in July 2020 with driving concrete foundation piles in the Potomac River. Receive the latest updates on upcoming procurement opportunities. Let's drive across the *very scary* Governor Harry Nice Bridge in Southern Maryland! It supports about 6.5 million vehicles annually. It also comes in handy when the I 95/495 DC traffic becomes unbearable. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Independent Contractor (Newspaper Carrier), Spotsylvania woman, 29, killed in crash Thursday morning, Woman pleads guilty to bashing former roommate with bat, Police cite medical emergency in Spotsylvania crash, Spotsylvania approves rezoning, making way for 'techno campus', Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Virginia aerialist wins 'Americas Got Talent: All Stars', New commuter bus routes coming to Fredericksburg area, Spotsylvania man convicted after being caught in child pornography sting, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Spotsylvania schools' new chief of staff will be "legislative liaison" for school division, Spotsylvania School Board member charged with forgery, Virginia State Police seek public's help in fatal crash investigation, Spotsylvania man convicted of felony in driveway shooting, Outdoor groups seek delay of old Nice bridge demolition, Idea to keep old Nice bridge for bikers/hikers is dead in the water, King George using waterfront home as temporary residence for staffers, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza. Wider sidewalks, higher railings, new lighting planned for Roosevelt Bridge. 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. 41.878 | -87.630. What lifetime? Virginia contributed $13 million to the Maryland Transportation Authority project to widen and align Route 301 with the new bridge. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. Use the map above to display information about active engineering and construction projects. A temporary concrete barrier will be installed along the shoulder of southbound US 301 to protect work crews. ; Visit . . No 2-way at this time due to weather. Here's how to check on traffic and delays: Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions. The judge hearing this case called it important, adding that it raises matters of public concern, but said . UPDATE At least one injured in crash on bridge. 555 Joppa Farm Rd. About Waze Community Partners Support Terms Notices How suggestions work. 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. Maryland will move forward with rebuilding and widening the Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. Hanover, Maryland 21076 The Nice-Middleton Bridge, named for former Gov. The extension of Maryland Route 3 is known as US 301. 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. 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. In November 2019, the project was approved by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Board. The New Nice Middleton Bridge will replace the existing two-lane bridge with a new 3km-long four-lane structure built to the north of the existing bridge. With no reduction in capacity, the shifts are anticipated to have minimal traffic impacts, though shoulders will be temporarily unavailable within this segment of US 301. On the plus side, the toll is one-way. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. After the ribbon is cut, Maryland Gov. 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. She said the authority would provide appropriate notice to the media and the public regarding opening activities.. The M4 has been closed westbound after a lorry fire on the Prince of Wales bridge. Instead, the Transportation Department subjected the application to months of scrutiny, making what Allen Garman, the Maryland authoritys director of treasury and debt, called in an email obtained by The Post seemingly unprecedented demands for unrelated bicycle projects., Garman briefed the authoritys finance committee about the application in December, saying federal officials initially wanted guarantees about an unrelated project on Interstate 95, then requested the state install bike and pedestrian lanes on another stretch of highway. In 2016, the state of Maryland authorised $760m in funding for the project. briefed the authoritys finance committee, JetBlue is at the center of two cases that could remake the industry, Metro to spend $55 million on wheel repairs after release of NTSB report, 7 in hospital as turbulence forces Lufthansa plane to divert to Dulles, Federal advisory urges railroads to improve use of safety detectors, Bus program doesnt have funding, D.C. finance chief says. The lorry was carrying 24 pallets of wine, according to the fire service, and no injuries have been reported. Jim Ports, then the executive director of the Maryland Transportation Authority, followed up in a Sept. 30 letter to Pollack, saying his state agency lacked the authority to build bike lanes on U.S. 301 because it doesnt control the road. Golden Gate Bridge District Awarded $400M Federal Grant to Complete Seismic Retrofit. 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.. There is zero need to start the demolition, other than spite, he emailed. . The other, the privately owned Oldtown Low Water Toll Bridge, connects Maryland and West Virginia, far upstream. 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. The bridge is designed to meet the current HS25 (45t) load requirements. 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. Last week, the authoritys communication director, Kelly Melhem, wouldnt confirm any dates regarding opening of the new bridge or demolition of the old. The MdTA reports that the scene is cleared. Maryland Route 3 was extended to the Potomac River from Mattawoman to connect to the bridge. 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. Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301) MDTA Active Construction Projects: Use the map above to display information about active engineering and construction projects. Harry W. Nice and former state Sen. Thomas "Mac" Middleton, carries Route 301 traffic over the Potomac River between Newburg, Md., and King George County, Va. Maryland added Middleton's name to the bridge after he sponsored legislation requiring that a replacement be built. The Finance Committee Meeting homepage also provides access to the virtual meeting, schedule, agenda, materials and minutes. Get The 7 DMV newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. Authority of the Maryland Transportation Authority, all traffic is restricted from accessing the bridge as wind speeds have reached or exceeded 55mph. 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 . 5425 Wisconsin Ave Construction of the new bridge will begin in 2020 and is expected to be completed by 2023. Max Smith | maxsmith@wtop.com. You should see nearby traffic information in the Today view. All Rights Reserved. "For too long, traffic in the Hampton Roads region has bottlenecked at the tunnel," said Governor Ralph Northam. The loan ultimately was approved without new conditions but the wait increased its cost by at least $20 million as interest rates rose, according to a February estimate provided in documents obtained by The Washington Post. 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. Garman told board members that, in his view, the federal money was in jeopardy.. Reports from witnesses indicated at one time the backup in Charles County extended north to the US Route 301/Route 257 intersection. The Nice/Middleton Bridge opened in 1940 and carries two lanes of U.S. 301 for 1.7 miles over the Potomac, connecting Charles County, Md., and King George County, Va. 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. In 2019, the agency responsible for Maryland's 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.. Those documents were filed on Saturday, on the Maryland agencys behalf, by the U.S. Department of Transportation in its opposition to the temporary restraining order. Ports said in the interview that Maryland officials ultimately were able to satisfy federal authorities and clear up misunderstandings they might have had about the loan application. Hammersmith Bridge is a suspension bridge that was opened, in its current incarnation, in 1887. The third of three Public Hearingswill be held March 6, 2023, from 5:30-8:00 PM to receive public and private testimony about the proposed toll rate ranges. (Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority) Please subscribe to keep reading. The project is one of the States largest transportation initiatives and will improve mobility, safety, and economic opportunities for southern Maryland, northeastern Virginia, and the region. . It came over concerns that the state has worked to cut a promised bike and pedestrian path from the project. You can point to this as a great example of where the administration is constrained by the law.. Get with the program VA! 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. UPDATE 5:37 p.m.-. It will improve the traffic safety on US 301 at the approaches to the Potomac River crossing, as well as on the bridge. Copyright 2022 by WTOP. This public meeting is livestreamed and archived on theFinance Committee Meeting Homepage. If you want to get a good picture of the bridge, you'll have to do it from the Maryland side as the Virginia side has no waterside stopping. The $3.8 billion project will increase tunnel and interstate capacity along 9.9 miles of Interstate 64 between Hampton and Norfolk, reducing congestion and easing access to the Port of Virginia and the world's largest Naval base. Note that theinitial zoom level may cause overlapping of projects/traffic cones. Listen! Financing for New Nice Middleton Bridge Project In 2016, the state of Maryland authorised $760m in funding for the project. Waze On: our first-ever, virtual global event. The bridge is only two lanes and whenever there is an accident on the bridge, it gets shutdown for hours without any notification. Perhaps we can offer them the old bridge for bicycles and save on the cost of demolishment.. 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 Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is replacing the existing Nice/Middleton Bridge with a new bridge that will: Double the vehicle capacity with four 12-foot-wide lanes, replacing the old bridge's two 11-foot-wide lanes UPDATE 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. MDOT Headquarters Crime Solvers. MD Live traffic coverage with maps and news updates - US Route 301 Highway Information. The existing bridge forms part of the National Highway System (NHS) and Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET). It is extremely steep and I had to close my eyes while my spouse drove. And after a six-month delay, the Transportation Department approved the 30-year loan without new conditions. Its super scary! When News Matters, It Matters Where You Get Your News. But Maryland transportation officials refused to alter their plans, according to the documents obtained under the Maryland Public Information Act. 7201 Corporate Center Drive Any pressing travel updates will be posted on the MDTA's Twitter. Governments on both sides of the bridgein King George and Charles County, Marylandinquired about its use for fishing or as a biking and walking path, and each chose not to pursue retaining the existing bridge due to the future facility maintenance costs, James Ports Jr., chairman of the MdTA, wrote in response. You can cancel at any time. No overweight vehicles, more than 80,000 pounds, will be permitted to cross the bridge when there is construction. Larry Hogan will lead the first cars over the bridge, according to the invitation. March 2023 (36) February 2023 (280) January 2023 (291) The work is the Maryland Transportation Authoritys $5.4 million project to repair the substructure and superstructure of the Nice Bridge. Learn about resources to assist in growing and strengthening your business. UPDATE 6:38 p.m.-. 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. 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. He is hopeful that the state will keep the path in plans. The lawsuit by the outdoor groups is the second attempt in three months to keep the old Nice bridge in place. 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.