| BayNet News
Allens Fresh 234 @ 301 - 11/21/2011
By Andy Marquis
http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/25163
The Maryland State Highway Administration will announce that the Allen's Fresh Bridge will re-open just in time for the Thanksgiving travel weekend. The temporary bridge will be open to all traffic on Tuesday evening.
"I am happy to report that the State Highway Administration (SHA) has informed Charles County Government that the MD 234 bridge over Allens Fresh Run will be open to the public on Tuesday evening (November 22nd)," Charles County Commissioner Ken Robinson (D: 1st) posted on Facebook. "The two 12-foot travel lanes and will carry all legal loads. In other words, once opened the road will operate normally."
The bridge has been closed since early September after historic flooding caused a massive sinkhole that wiped out part of the bridge. The replacement bridge installed is a temporary bridge and the State Highway Administration will work to build a new permanent bridge on MD-234. No more closures are expected.
Residents Express Frustration Over MD-234 Bridge Closure
La Plata, MD - 10/20/2011
By Andy Marquis
Some residents expressed gratitude while others expressed frustration over the continued closure of the Allen's Fresh Bridge on MD-234 during a public meeting Wednesday night. The bridge was closed after large sinkholes formed during Tropical Storm Lee.
State Senator Thomas "Mac" Middleton (D: Charles County), members of the Board of St. Mary's County Commissioners and the Charles County Commissioners all attended the meeting.
"This was a very enlightening meeting I saw today," St. Mary's County Commissioner President Jack Russell said. "I had no idea that the whole structure was tore up. It was enlightening to me. I know people are frustrated but it takes a fair amount of time to get stuff done. It was good to come here to see what underway with all the works. Senator Middleton was here and the rest of the commissioners from Charles County. It's going to take some time but they'll get it done."
"I don't want a half assed bridge built here," Middleton said. "I want it done and done right."
"It's a frustrating situation by those impacted by this," Charles County Commissioner Ken Robinson (D: 1st) said. "Sometimes, your success comes back to haunt you. The county did an outstanding job with the roads that were collapsed and closed. We got them open in a very short period of time, pretty much within 48 hours. The state did a fabulous job in La Plata where we had two sinkholes and those were open in a short period of time.
"This is more complicated. I've had personal contact with the gentlemen who were here tonight just about every day since the road collapsed and they are on this. A lot of the work has been going on behind the scenes. Now the equipment is there. They are promising November 30th, I have all the faith in the world that will happen
"I understand the frustration over this. It's easy to be on the outside looking in and have your own solutions but this is a very complicated situation."
"We've been proactive about getting information out to the racing community about 234," Royce Miller, President and promoter of Maryland International Raceway, said. "We're channeling traffic from the north coming from route 5 to come down 236 to avoid 234 altogether. From the south, we've given them directions to get to the raceway. Our patrons have been pretty understanding of it. We don't hear of anyone saying they're not coming to the races because of it which is reassuring. We've got to finish out the season this way but we're looking forward to having the temporary bridge in starting next year."
A temporary bridge is being built, and is expected to be completed by November 30, 2011.
Will Pines, P.E.; Maryland State Highway Administration Project Manager, went through the process and explained what's next. First, the temporary bridge will be put in place while a new, permanent bridge is built. The temporary bridge will be placed to the south of where construction will begin on the new bridge. After the first portion of the new bridge is completed, the temporary bridge will be taken down and the second phase of the permanent bridge will be completed.
Pines said traffic flow shouldn't be interrupted during the process and that two lanes will be open the entire time, but there will be no shoulder on the bridge until the completion of the new bridge. Pines said completion shouldn't take more than two years.
While the bridge itself did not collapse, the sinkholes around the bridge uncovered unfavorable soil around the bridge and the SHA determined that the bridge was damaged beyond repair. The temporary bridge can carry all legal loads.
"I think I speak for everybody when I say we're tired of waiting around," resident Larry Bowling said. "You're taking up time and making money at our expense. This is inexcusable; you should be ashamed of yourselves."
A couple residents raised concerns about traffic getting in and out of the racetracks during the summer months. One resident said traffic gets backed up all the way to 301 during some of the big races.
"I really feel that MD-234 is adequate," Miller said. "It's got good shoulders, it's a good road that's very well maintained and I don't think we're ready for a four lane highway there yet." |
