Built in 1942, the more than 80-year-old bridge is the primary entrance to downtown Ocean City. The structure is long and requires regular maintenance and repairs to keep it in a state of good repair and to maintain reliability. Annually, the bridge has approximately 1,663 drawbridge openings, making it one of the busiest moveable bridges in the state. 

The ongoing rehabilitation work is necessary to repair the underside of the bridge and to address flaking and deteriorating concrete. These repairs are necessary to ensure the safety of the marine traffic underneath, keep the bridge in a state of good repair, extend the service life of the structure and ensure the reliability of the bridge for travelers. The work also includes repairs to sidewalks approaching and on the bridge.

Drivers can expect off-peak daytime lane closures Mondays through Fridays from 4 a.m. until  11 a.m. These lane closures are needed for material deliveries, to stage equipment and to collect demolition debris.  

Motorists may want to consider using MD 90 (Ocean City Expressway) as an alternate route to avoid the work zone.