Tropical Storm Isaias leaves some Maryland roads in tatters

Tropical Storm Isaias has come and gone from the D.C. region, but it left plenty to remember it by, and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, or MDOT SHA, is working to assess the damage.

Current areas of focus are roads in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Prince George’s counties, as engineers and road crews work to repair extensive damage that has left several roads and bridges inoperable.

Prince George’s County

Maryland Route 381 Bridge. (Courtesy Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration)

One lane approaching the Maryland Route 381 Bridge over Swanson Creek near the Charles County line collapsed from the erosion of the roadway brought on by the torrential rain.

Initial repairs have been made to the road and more are expected to take place this weekend. The road is expected to be open by the end of next week.

Calvert County

Maryland Route 263 at Wilson Road. (Courtesy Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration)

A section of Maryland Route 263 (Plum Point Road) at Wilson Road was damaged during Isaias’ brief stay in the region and is need of repair. Work is expected to begin on Aug. 10.

In the meantime, traffic is being diverted from Route 263 to Emmanuel Church Road to Wilson Road, which returns back to Plum Point Road.

St. Mary’s County

Maryland Route 5 Bridge over Saint Clement Creek. (Courtesy Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration)

A bridge over over Saint Clements Creek on Maryland Route 5 (Point Lookout Road) has been closed until crews can repair the storm damage. The agency said work on the bridge is expected to begin Aug. 10.

In the meantime, traffic is being detoured to Maryland Route 238 and Route 234.

Maryland Route 6 Bridge over Persimmon Creek. (Courtesy Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration)

Another bridge over on Maryland Route 6 (New Market Turner Road) over Persimmon Creek also suffered some damages and is in need of repair.

SHA said there is not a time frame set on repairs yet, and it is unclear how long the bridge will be closed.

Local traffic is being diverted to Flora Corner Road and Maryland Routes 5 and 235.

Zeke Hartner

Zeke Hartner is a digital writer/editor who has been with WTOP since 2017. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University’s Political Science program and an avid news junkie.

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(1/19)
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