anchor Description
This project provides for the replacement of the existing Brink Road Bridge over Great Seneca Creek. The existing bridge, built in 1972, is a single (1) span 58'-3" steel beam with an asphalt filled corrugated metal deck structure carrying a 23'-6" clear roadway with W-beam guardrail on each side. The proposed replacement bridge includes a one (1) span 58' prestressed NEXT beam structure with a 34'-0" clear roadway width. The project includes 400-foot of approach roadway work west of the bridge to reduce flooding frequency and improvements to the intersection with Wightman Road, approximately 20' east of the bridge. In addition, the M-NCPPC Seneca Creek Green hiker-biker trail crossing will be improved, and a traffic signal will be constructed at the intersection with Wightman Road and Brink Road. To meet Program Open Space (POS) land conversion requirements land needs to be purchased at the corner of Wightman Road and Brink Road and a parking lot constructed for trail users. The new bridge will carry two lanes of traffic with two 11' travel lanes and 6' wide shoulders for a clear roadway width of 34'.
anchorCapacity
The roadway Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 12,000 vehicles. The roadway capacity will not change as a result of this project.
anchorEstimated Schedule
The design of the project is expected to finish in FY27. Bridge will be closed to traffic from June to August 2028 for construction. Project slippage is due to Program Open Space negotiations with M-NCPPC, the addition of a parking lot, and traffic safety improvements.
anchorCost Change
Cost increase due to inflation and scope change to add roadway safety improvements along Wightman Road for parking lot users.
anchor Justification
The proposed replacement work is necessary to provide a safe roadway condition for the travelling public. The 2022 bridge inspection report for Bridge No. M-0064 indicates that the bridge steel beams are in poor condition with areas of 100 percent section loss. As a result the bridge is inspected on a 12-month frequency. The bridge is functionally obsolete with a clear roadway width of 24' and carries approximately 12,000 vehicles per day. The bridge is closed two to three times a year due to flooding of the Great Seneca Creek. The project will reduce the flooding frequency to once every five years.
anchorFiscal Note
The costs of bridge construction and construction management for this project are eligible for up to 80 percent Federal Aid. The design costs for this project are covered in the Bridge Design Project (No. 509132).
anchorDisclosures
A pedestrian impact analysis has been completed for this project.
anchorCoordination
Federal Highway Administration - Federal Aid Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program, Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services, Utilities, and Bridge Design Project (CIP 509132).