Westbound traffic on U.S. 40 will be diverted off the Susquehanna River bridge several nights next week for deck repairs, the Maryland Transportation Authority announced.

Depending on weather conditions, the westbound lane of the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge will close Monday through Thursday at 8 p.m., reopening at 5 a.m. the following mornings. Crews will be installing and painting the new deck of the nearly 70-year-old structure.

Eastbound  traffic will not be affected.

Posted by Michael Dresser at 9:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Off the roads
        

Here's one more reminder why the Maryland General Assembly enacted a law, which goes into effect Oct. 1, banning text-messaging while driving:

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (AP) — Police say a Buffalo-area tow truck driver was juggling two cell phones — texting on one and talking on another — when he slammed into a car and crashed into a swimming pool.
    Niagara County sheriff's deputies say 25-year-old Nicholas Sparks of Burt admitted he was texting and talking when his flatbed truck hit the car Wednesday morning in Lockport.
    The truck then crashed through a fence and sideswiped a house before rolling front-end first into an in-ground pool.
    The 68-year-old woman driving the car suffered head injuries and was in good condition. Her 8-year-old niece suffered minor injuries.
    Sparks was charged with reckless driving, talking on a cell phone and following too closely. It couldn't be determined Thursday morning if he has a lawyer.

It is illegal in New York to drive while talking on a  hand-held cell phone. Earllier this week, A Virginia Tech study issued this week found that truck drivers who were texting while driving were 23 times more likely than other truckers to have a crash or near-miss. A group of U.S. senators proposed a bill this week that would require states to adopt texting bans.

Posted by Michael Dresser at 4:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Off the roads
        

Saturday brings two events to the region that could interest folks who like nothing better than a good trail.

One is at Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, Va., just south of Mount Vernon. It's the American Hiking Society's National Trail Day from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Information can be found at the society's website.

The other is the opening of the hiking and biking lanes on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail, crossing the Potomac River between Prince George's County and Alexandria, Va. That trail opens to the public at 1 p.m.

More information follows:

Continue reading "Two regional events for trail devotees" »

Posted by Michael Dresser at 5:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Off the roads
        

The Rails to Trails Conservancy bills itself as a "nonprofit organization working with communities to preserve unused rail corridors by transforming them into trails, enhancing the health of America's environment, economy, neighborhoods and people."

The group's mission is to promote the conversion of unused railroad right of way into trails for hiking, biking and other uses. The web site includes a useful guide to trails all over the United States. It's worth checking out.

Posted by Michael Dresser at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Off the roads