Starting March 4 the Route 50 bridge, one of two leading to Ocean City, will have at least one eastbound lane closed most days while it undergoes repairs to its mechanical systems.

The State Highway Administration said as single right lane will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Occasionally the lane may need to close for 24 hours, officials said.

Visitors may remember that one span of the U.S. 50 drawbridge was stuck in the open position for several hours last July, leading to huge traffic backups.

SHA said the bridge was fixed temporarily at that time. "The work beginning now is a permanent fix to avoid another similar occurrence," said Donnie Drewer, a district engineer for SHA.

Drewer said the repairs were scheduled during the off-season to avoid impacting travelers. SHA will pause work March 13-16 so that visitors to the popular annual St. Patrick's Day festivities will not have to suffer delays.

While one lane will remain open during repairs, SHA said drivers may want to take an alternate route of using the bridge at MD 90 (Ocean City Expressway). Work should be completed by the end of March.