Nighttime Cargo Deliveries Impact US 301 Traffic
Nighttime cargo deliveries will block both northbound lanes of US 301 along a 20-mile stretch through Charles County, Maryland, from Aqualand Marina in Newburg to White Plains, “for the next few weeks,” announced the MD State Highway Administration.
The delivery convoy will travel at 5 mph and US 301 traffic will not be able to pass.
The first of 28 overnight hauling operations begins tonight, Tuesday Aug. 25, 2015, coordinated by Roll-Lift USA. The convoys will consist of nearly two dozen trucks moving large cargo to the CPV St. Charles Energy Center. The hauling route extends from Orlando Park Drive, located just north of the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge, to Billingsley Road in White Plains, MD.
Since motorists will not be able to pass the convoy, if US 301 traffic delays become significant, the convoy will stop at one of nine pause point locations where police will direct US 301 traffic past the convoy.
Transports will be scheduled between 9 pm and 5 am Monday night through early Friday morning over the next few weeks until all of the cargo is transported. Motorists will encounter delays on northbound US 301 during the hauling operation. SHA and law enforcement suggest travelers avoid the area.
If roadways remain closed after 5 am, notice of the extended closures will be posted on the Charles County website.
CPV St. Charles Energy Center, a natural gas-fired power plant under construction, will generate enough electricity to power about 700,000 homes while reducing sulfur, nitrogen and carbon emissions by 65 to 99 percent compared to other plants.
The largest pieces of equipment headed for the facility, arrived at Aqualand Marina by ship. From there, the equipment will be placed on specially designed heavy haul vehicles for transport to the CPV St. Charles Energy Center on Billingsley Road.
Roll-Lift USA coordinated the 28 hauls with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration and local emergency responders to ensure that each haul is conducted safely and with minimal impacts to the community and traveling public. Portable variable message signs are in place along US 301 and Billingsley Road to advise motorists to expect delays during the heavy haul convoys.Charles County will also send notification via its Citizen Notification System.
