The State Highway Administration has begun two bridge replacement projects in Wicomico County.

Each project requires a full road closure and detour for approximately 10 weeks.

Already under way is the bridge replacement on Route 54 (Delmar Road) over Mockingbird Creek.

The 19-foot timber structure was built in 1940, renovated in 1996 and repaired in 2007. SHA will replace the wood with a pre-stressed concrete slab that will dramatically reduce maintenance costs, eliminate current weight restrictions and provide a smoother ride and longer-wearing ride surface.

Crews are also constructing new retaining walls, improving drainage, paving the roadways and landscaping the area.  SHA will post two detour routes – passenger cars can use Route 50 and Old Railroad Road; trucks will use Route 50 and Route 13 (North Salisbury Boulevard/Ocean Highway).

Nearly 3,000 vehicles travel this part of Route 54 each day.

Route 349 (Nanticoke Road) over Windsor Creek:

Built in 1931 with major repairs in the 1970s, this timber bridge is considered structurally deficient and has reached the end of its useful service life.  SHA will install a new 30-foot long prestressed concrete slab and new walls/supporting structure, as well as reconstruct the approach roadway..  SHA will post the detour route for all vehicles to use Oak Grove Church Road and Jesterville Road.   An average of 2,000 vehicles cross this bridge each day, with higher volumes during summer months for recreational travel.

SHA’s contractor for both projects is George & Lynch of Dover. Construction cost is $2.3 million for Route/Mockingbird Creek and $2.7 million for Route 349/Windsor Creek.  Both projects contain incentive/disincentive provisions to expedite reopening of the roadways this fall.