Home

STAY INFORMED

Sign up for updates and alerts from the Maryland Transportation Authority.

 

Nice/Middleton Bridge Project – Home

Maryland Delivers New Nice-Middleton Bridge On Budget and Three Months Ahead of Schedule, Replacing 82-Year Old Span

 

Original US 301 Nice/Middleton Bridge Decommissioning and Lower Cedar Point Bar Oyster Restoration Project

During fall 2022, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) began decommissioning the original US 301 Nice/Middleton Bridge, following approved permits and using a combination of mechanical and controlled blast demolition. The full structure from shore to shore will come down by end of 2024.

Concrete from the bridge will be loaded onto a barge and transported to an artificial reef site, which provides habitat and shelter for fish and invertebrates, creating sanctuaries for diverse marine life. In total, approximately 9,500 tons of old bridge materials will be used to enhance habitat.

100% of the steel from the bridge will be recycled.

As another feature of the project, MDTA has worked with partner agencies to create newly seeded oyster bed on the 148-acre natural Lower Cedar Point Bar, advancing Maryland’s clean water goals. We are making great strides at improving habitat for striped bass, bluefish, oysters, and other fish in tidewater Maryland locations. The MDTA worked with Potomac River Fisheries Commission to plant nearly 12 million live oysters over the Bar. The oysters planted were dime to quarter sized to help improve survival rate. Based on research, a single adult oyster can filter approximately 50 gallons of water a day. Two additional oyster plantings are planned for the Lower Cedar Point Bar.

Lower Cedar Point Bar

News Releases

About the Project

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) opened the new Nice/Middleton Bridge on October 12, 2022, providing the public a wider, safer crossing over the Potomac. The new bridge:

  • Eases traffic congestion by doubling the vehicle capacity with four 12-foot-wide lanes –replacing the old bridge’s two 11-foot-wide lanes
  • · Improves safety with a barrier-separated median between east- and westbound lanes, two-foot shoulders, and other improvements that meet current safety standards
  • Eliminates lane-shifting safety issues at toll booths with all-electronic tolling
  • Enables tall ships to pass beneath its 135-foot clearance

Work continues in 2023 with removal of the old bridge. Under MDTA’s supervision, the $463 million design-build job is being performed by Skanska, Corman and McLean (SCM), a joint venture comprised of firms with local ties.

The MDTA is self-sufficient and receives no gas tax, motor vehicle fees, or other revenue in the Transportation Trust Fund. The MDTA facilities are fully financed, operated, maintained, improved, and protected with toll revenues paid by customers using those facilities.

SIGN UP FOR ALERTS

Think of it as E-Z money! All-Electronic Tolling is Statewide - DriveEzMD.comMDTA has made all-electronic tolling permanent statewide, making E-ZPass Maryland even better for our customers. Learn more about how cashless tolling works, the benefits of cashless tolling and how to get an E-ZPass Maryland transponder.

Additional Information

Nice/Middleton Bridge Project Archive: 

April 2023 Bicycle System Informational Open House 

Fact Sheets

Public Alerts

Mariner Alerts

Environmental Planning Studies

Get Adobe Acrobat Reader:

The meeting agendas and minutes are provided in Adobe PDF format. If you do not have a PDF viewer you can download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader at http://get.adobe.com/reader

WAS THIS PAGE HELPFUL?

Public Calendar

Sep 17

Susquehanna Workforce Network Harford County Regional Job Fair

12:00 PM

APGFCU Arena
401 Thomas Run Road
Bel Air, MD 21015

Visit our table at the Susquehanna Workforce Network Count Regional Job Fair to explore exciting job openings and meet our dynamic team. The MDTA offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and career growth opportunities.

Sep 19

Susquehanna River Run

7:00 AM

Millard Tydings Memorial Park
Havre de Grace, MD 21078

Lace up for the Susquehanna River Run, presented by Charm City Run, at the Millard Tydings Memorial Park ! Stop by the DriveEzMD booth before or after the race to get help with your E-ZPass account, ask tolling questions, grab some free giveaways, and play games for a chance to win prizes. Come see us and cheer on the runners!

Sep 19

Essex Day Festival

11:00 AM

400-600 Blocks Eastern Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21221

Celebrate the 51st Annual Essex Day Festival with DriveEzMD! Stop by our booth to shop local vendors, enjoy the festivities, and visit us for E-ZPass account help. Our team will be on hand to answer tolling questions, help with E-ZPass sign-ups, and offer fun games and prizes.