Pocomoke City Drawbridge Closing for Repairs Starting Sept 8

Pocomoke City, MD - Drivers in Pocomoke City will need to find a new route starting Tuesday, September 8. That's when the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration shuts down the US 13 Business Market Street Bridge for a repainting project.

The bridge won't reopen until Saturday, November 8, weather permitting. Crews plan to strip off the old paint and apply a fresh coat to protect the steel from corrosion.

This isn't a small job. The whole drawbridge has to be contained during the work to keep paint and debris out of the Pocomoke River below.

Cars, bikes, and pedestrians won't be able to use the bridge for the entire two month stretch. It will sit in the raised position the whole time. Boaters don't have to worry though, since the river channel underneath will stay open to marine traffic.

A detour will guide drivers around the closure. The route follows MD 364 (Market Street), US 13 (Ocean Highway), MD 250A (Old Virginia Road), then back onto US 13 Business (Market Street).

Olympus Painting Contractors, Inc., based in Tarpon Springs, Florida, is running the project. Crews will place concrete barriers, barrels, and cones to keep traffic moving safely along the detour. Arrow panels and message boards will be set up ahead of time so drivers know what's coming.

The Market Street bridge has carried traffic over the Pocomoke River since 1921. Maintenance work like this happens periodically to keep the aging structure safe and sound for years to come.

State officials are asking everyone to plan ahead while the project is underway. They're also reminding drivers to slow down, stay alert, and move over for crews working in the zone. It's the law, and it keeps both drivers and workers safe.