The scheduled opening of the new overpass at Route 24 and Route 924 has been delayed again.
The tentative opening date has now been pushed to by 5 a.m. Wednesday, weather permitting, according to an updated press release from the Maryland Transportation Authority.
The new Route 24 bridge over Route 924 (Emmorton Road) and Tollgate Road was originally slated to be opened Friday morning, but was then pushed back to 5 a.m. Tuesday, again, weather permitting.
The latest delay, according to a press release from the Maryland Transportation Authority on Monday, was because of inclement weather that was expected Monday evening, which MdTA Spokesperson Teri Moss indicated could become an issue in the construction process.
Drivers should still expect what the MdTA calls "traffic drags," or slowdowns, from 7 p.m. Tuesday through 5 a.m. Wednesday 5 on Route 24, Route 924 and I-95.
If there is inclement weather Tuesday night, the overpass opening will be delayed until Thursday, according to the MdTA.
Even after the bridge is opened to drivers, work on the $39.6 million project will continue over the next couple of months to include median installation on Route 24, the widening of northbound Exit 77A to two lanes and paving and striping Route 24 and I-95, MdTA's Moss wrote in an e-mail last week.
The project, weather permitting, is expected to be fully completed by the end of this year, she added. Upon completion, drivers going to and from I-95 and Bel Air will be able to use the bridge to bypass the intersection of Route 24 with Route 924 and Tollgate Road.