The $56 million reconstruction of the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge across the Susquehanna River, which begins June 9, will disrupt traffic along the Route 40 corridor during the next three years.
The entire deck on the nearly 1.5-mile span between Havre de Grace and Perryville will be replaced for the first time in its 70-year history. Crews will also repair substructure concrete piers, install a permanent concrete barrier in the center for the length of the bridge and widen the lanes slightly, by restructuring existing barrier walls.
Reconstruction, which costs more than 10 times the $5 million expended on the original project in 1939, will mean an end to the persistent repairs on the bridge, extend its life, improve the ride and ensure the safety of motorists, officials said.
Workshops, presented by the Maryland Transportation Authority in Cecil County last week, offered displays, schedules and alternate routes, as well as diagrams of the work and photos of the bridge in its current state.
Images of crumbling concrete on the deck raised a few alarms among visitors.
"It is the steel substructure that holds up the bridge, and there is no problem with that," said George R. Fish, MdTA administrator for the Northern Region. "Functionally, this bridge is in sound shape and is inspected annually."
Traffic, which averages about 11 million vehicles a year, will be limited to two lanes -- one in each direction -- for the duration of the project. Periodic brief closures may occur to allow for delivery of construction materials.
"I cross it two times every day and realize it needs these repairs," said Tim Thompson of Perryville, who attended the workshop at the Perryville Library on Wednesday. "What they are doing is really necessary. But if they knock it down to two lanes of traffic, a lot of people may not want to use it."
Two more workshops are scheduled for Havre de Grace this week.
"The workshops are helpful," Thompson said. "I am interested in the construction and the lane closures. I also wonder how they will keep 18-wheelers off."
Any truck larger than three axles will be restricted to crossing during late evening hours and diverted to Interstate 95 during the day. The MdTA will post signs on Route 40 and on I-95 alerting trucks to the restrictions, which will occur from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. all week. Officials say that police will monitor the traffic. Large truck traffic accounts for about 5 percent of the daily volume on Hatem Bridge.
