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Nice/Middleton Bridge Project - Environment

Overview

In designing and constructing the New Nice/Middleton Bridge, a top priority of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is protecting the environment. With MDTA oversight and by using environmentally sensitive technologies and construction practices, Skanska-Corman-McLean (the Design-Build Contractor) is working diligently to reduce environmental impacts on plants and wildlife in the vicinity of the New Nice/Middleton Bridge and beyond.

Questions or concerns about environmental issues?
Call us toll-free at 1-888-994-1415
Email us at info@nicemiddletonbridge.com

Protecting the Environment

Environmental commitments and permit conditions being implemented to protect the sensitive natural resources associated with the project include but are not limited to:

  • Delineating and maintaining limits of disturbance to minimize the project’s impacts to the surrounding environment
  • Ensuring proper erosion and sediment controls are in place and maintained
  • Stabilizing disturbed areas not under active grading
  • Implementing protection measures for forests and trees
  • Maintaining control of airborne particles through implementation of a dust control plan
  • Implementing a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures Plan and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
  • Adhering to time-of-year restrictions for work in the Potomac River that includes providing a 2,400 contiguous linear-foot zone of safe fish passage
  • Adhering to time-of-year and time-of-day restrictions to avoid and minimize impacts to terrestrial and aquatic species including bald eagles, peregrine falcons, osprey, northern long-eared bats, rainbow snakes, and Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon
  • Deploying turbidity curtains for river bottom disturbing activities
  • Using best management practices for pile driving including deploying bubble curtains in the main channel when driving 66” precast piles and utilizing low energy starts for all piles to  disperse fish prior to high energy pile driving operations
  • Performing in-stream water quality monitoring throughout construction

Approvals and Permits

Numerous environmental approvals and construction permits are associated with the project. These include:

  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 authorization (Baltimore and Norfolk Districts)
  • Maryland Board of Public Works Tidal Wetlands License
  • Maryland Department of the Environment Nontidal Wetlands and Waterways Permit
  • Maryland and Virginia issued Section 401 Water Quality Certifications
  • King George County Wetlands Tidal License
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources Critical Area Commission Approval
  • Biological Assessment for Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon
  • Section 106 Programmatic Agreement for Cultural Resources
  • USCG Section 9 Bridge Permit

Environmental Planning Studies

The MDTA completed project planning studies for the Nice/Middleton Bridge Improvement Project, which identified alternate solutions to transportation issues at the existing Nice/Middleton Bridge, evaluated environmental and community impacts of the alternatives, and gathered public and permitting agency input on the project. The study team coordinated with regulatory agencies to develop the project’s environmental documents (see links below). The Finding of No Significant Impact was  approved by the Federal Highway Administration on November 27, 2012.

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Public Calendar

Jun 08

Finance Committee Meeting - June 8, 2023

9 AM

Virtual Teams Meeting

This public meeting is livestreamed and archived on the Finance Committee Meeting Homepage. The Finance Committee Meeting homepage also provides access to the virtual meeting, schedule, agenda, materials and minutes.

Jun 09

Hiring Event - JFK Administration Building

12 PM

MDTA Hiring Event Onsite Interviews

Hiring Event for Highway Maintenance Workers with On-Site Interviews

We're holding a Highway Maintenance Worker hiring event at the JFK Administration Building. Same day, on-site interviews! If you can't make it, apply online here http://bit.ly/3ShAOoq.

When:
June 9, 2023
12 pm – 5 pm

Where:
John F. Kennedy Highway Administration Building 1
Turnpike Drive
Perryville, MD 21903

On-Site Same Day Interviews

  • No experience required
  • Must have a valid driver’s license
  • Please bring a valid government-issued ID to interview

Reap the rewards of State employment!

  • Pension | Medical | Dental |Prescription
  • Tuition Assistance | Generous Time Off | Life Insurance
  • Variety of job tasks & locations available

Event Flyer (PDF Download)

You belong at the MDTA!

Jun 14

Doing Business with the MDTA Development Workshop - Free

9 AM

MDOT Headquarters
Harry Hughes Conference Room
7201 Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, Maryland 21076

Doing Business with the MDTA

Free Development Workshop
Division of Civil Rights & Fair Practices (CRFP)

Wednesday, June 14, 2023
9am to 1pm

  • Free to attend.
  • Network with Primes, MDTA Procurement Officers and MDTA CRFP Compliance Officers.
  • Learn about resources to assist in growing and strengthening your business.
  • Understand the MBE/VSBE/DBE Programs and your role as a prime or subcontractor.

Register on Eventbrite:
https://tinyurl.com/yjxmw565 
Registration Opens May 1, 2023

Email any questions to:
MDTAoutreach@mdta.state.md.us

Additional Information:

To learn more visit:
Getting Your Foot In The Door | MDTA (maryland.gov)