Work in one of the most congested areas of Harford County on one of the largest road construction projects since Route 24 opened decades ago, is nearing completion, with at least one part expected to be open in time for Friday morning's rush hour.
Drivers hope it will mean easier commutes to and from I-95 and Bel Air.
Weather permitting, the new Route 24 bridge over Route 924 (Emmorton Road) and Tollgate Road will be open to traffic by about 5 a.m. Friday.
With this new bridge in operation, travel conditions will be improved as Route 24 motorists traveling between I-95 and Bel Air will take the bridge over Route 924, bypassing the signal at the intersection.
"Once complete, there will be improvements in daily congestion especially during the morning peak periods on southbound MD 24 and during the evening peak periods on northbound MD 24," Teri Moss, a spokesperson for Maryland Transportation Authority, wrote in an email Tuesday.
Work on the overpass is almost done, with completion scheduled for later this year, Moss wrote. Like this week's scheduled opening, however, completion of the $39.6 million project depends on the weather, which Moss said could delay either or both plans.
After the new bridge is opened, all that is left in the project is median installation on Route 24, widening the northbound Exit 77A to two lanes and paving and striping Route 24 and I-95, Moss added.
These additions and improvements are expected to ease traffic problems in that area, according to Moss, by allowing traffic to and from Bel Air to bypass the intersection at Route 924 and improve accessibility to and from I-95, Route 24, Route 924 and Tollgate Road.
In addition, new traffic patterns will be in effect on the ramps from both directions of I-95 to Routes 24 and 924 (Exits 77A and 77B).
• Northbound I-95 motorists wishing to access northbound Route 24 to Bel Air should take Exit 77A and turn left at the traffic signal at the top of the ramp.
• Northbound I-95 motorists wishing to access Route 24 south should take exit 77A and merge right where the ramp splits.
• Northbound I-95 motorists whose destinations are Route 924 (Emmorton Road) or Tollgate Road should use exit 77B.
• Drivers southbound on I-95 whose destinations are to Route 924 and Tollgate Road should take Exit 77B and those whose destinations are to Route 24 should take Exit 77A, turn left at the new traffic signal for Route 24's lanes for northbound traffic and turn right at the signal to access Route 24's lanes for southbound traffic.