WASHINGTON — Traffic will be limited along a 20-mile stretch of U.S. 301 in Charles County during the next few weeks as cargo is hauled to a power plant under construction in White Plains beginning Tuesday night.
The power plant equipment will be carried by convoys north on U.S. 301 from the Aqualand Marina and Orlando Park Drive in Newburg, just north of the Harry Nice Bridge, to Billingsley Road in White Plains at night.
Motorists are urged to avoid the highway between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday nights through early Friday mornings. The first cargo convoy is set to begin at 9 p.m. Tuesday.
The convoy, involving nearly two dozen trucks, is expected to travel just 5 mph and will use both northbound lanes. Other motorists will not be able to pass the convoy. However, if traffic backups become significant, the convoy will pause at one of nine designated stopping areas and allow traffic to pass under police direction.
The cargo will be hauled to the CPV St. Charles Energy Center, which is under construction. Once complete, the natural gas-fired power plant will provide enough electricity for 700,000 homes.
Message signs will be posted along the route to remind drivers of the transport convoys. Commuters should check the county’s website, CharlesCountyMD.gov, for traffic updates in case the convoys extend beyond 5 a.m.
