The $6 million project to stabilize the slopes of Deer Creek along a section of Route 24 through Rocks State Park is nearing completion. The roadway, which has been closed for nearly nine months, is slated to re-open shortly and planning on the next phases of the project are expected to resume this summer.
In July 2014, after years of delays and setbacks due to citizen concern, advisory board feedback, and a difficult permitting process, the Maryland State Highway Administration closed down Route 24 at St. Clair Bridge Road – detouring traffic to Routes 165 and 23. The roadway was closed for longer than expected due to engineering difficulties, weather, and the accidental death of a construction worker.
After nine months of work, SHA is perhaps only a matter of weeks from reopening the previously heavily-traveled road, according to Deni Deliallisi, a design project manager with SHA’s Office of Highway Development – Highway Design Division.
“Weather permitting, the roadway will be re-opened within the next few weeks and the overall project will be completed by July of this year,” Deliallisi wrote in an email.
The slope stabilization and roadway reconstruction project included a new 150-foot bio-engineered reinforced slope between the highway and the creek, a new 500-foot decorative stone wall between the highway and the creek, erosion and sediment control measures, highway drainage improvements including storm drain systems and outfalls, slope reconstruction and extensive landscaping with native plants, parking lot grading, and new brown metal traffic barriers, pavement markings and traffic signs.
The remaining work to be completed involves installation of pedestrian crossing signs and signs that prohibit parking along the roadway.
“All proposed signs are essential for public safety,” Deliallisi added.
This summer, once the Section A project is completed and Route 24 is reopened, SHA will resume studies on the improvements along Section G, which includes a section of Route 24 at the southern end of Rocks State Park.
Hallelujah! It’s about time.
Also–does this mean that they’re going to close it down again in July? 🙁
I couldn’t help but notice that the state didn’t commit to a specific date for the re-opening. If they’re really close to being able to re-open, they should commit to a schedule, if if qualified to account for weather!