The Route 13 Salisbury Bypass bridges project is moving along on-schedule.

Thanks in part to a much-needed dry and mild fall, contractors for the Maryland State Highway Administration completed the bridge deck latex overlays on the northbound bridges at Route 50, Route 346 and the Norfolk-Southern Railroad.

Work has now shifted to replacement of the end sections on these bridges.

Demolition of an end section at the Route 346 overpass is under way. Once the sections are removed, the demolition crew will move down to the Route 50 overpass while other crews begin constructing the new Route 346 end sections.

They will be pouring new abutments, setting steel beams, forming and pouring the new deck and parapet walls.

While mild, dry weather is still th contractors’ best friend, the necessary concrete work must happen through the winter to keep the project on schedule.

Officials are prepared to contain and heat the work areas and use concrete curing blankets if needed.

The goal is to finish these end sections by May so officials can restore normal traffic flow north of Route 50 in time for beach season.

At that time, work will focus  south of Route 50, at Mount Hermon Road and Parker Pond.

By next October, crews should be ready to shift back into bi-directional mode north of Route 50 for work on the inner loop (southbound) bridges.

Officials said this is an ambitious project and SHA appreciates the cooperation and patience of motorists and residents.

Because of possible noise impacts for residents living near the Bypass, crews are being aggressive in reducing the time spent at each location and keep any disruptions as brief as possible.