MD 4 Bridge to Undergo Overnight Lane Closures
Maryland State Highway Administration will inspect the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge over the Patuxent River starting Sunday, November 15.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Current Conditions
The Maryland State Highway Administration will begin overnight inspection work on the MD 4 Bridge over the Patuxent River on Sunday, November 15, 2026. One lane will be closed nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, November 19.
Why it matters
Routine inspections help confirm the structural condition of bridges that carry daily traffic across the Calvert/Saint Mary's County line. Drivers in Maryland who use MD 4 should expect reduced capacity and possible delays during the overnight work window.
The inspection is scheduled as a nightly one-lane closure from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., with traffic alternating in the open lane under a flagging operation. The notice does not indicate what the inspection will find or whether further work will follow.
The players
Maryland State Highway Administration
The Maryland State Highway Administration is the state agency responsible for planning, building, and maintaining the state's highway system, including bridges such as MD 4.
AECOM
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting and engineering firm headquartered in Los Angeles, with a regional presence in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
The details
Contractor AECOM of Hunt Valley is conducting the inspection of the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge. Crews will close one lane, and traffic in the open lane will alternate under a flagging operation, with portable variable message signs placed along area state routes.
Timeline
Sunday, November 15, 2026: Overnight inspection work begins on the MD 4 Bridge.
Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.: Lane closure and inspection hours.
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 5 a.m.: Overnight inspection work ends.
Seasonal Patterns
Scheduling bridge inspections at night under the National Bridge Inspection Standards keeps lane closures to the lowest-traffic hours. The overnight window used here is a common approach for routine structural checks on heavily traveled crossings.
Drivers who use MD 4 between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on the scheduled nights should expect one lane to be closed and traffic to alternate. Allow extra travel time and watch for portable variable message signs on area state routes.
The takeaway
Plan for the overnight lane closure if you cross the Patuxent River on MD 4 this week. Dial #77 for roadside assistance if you encounter trouble while traveling through the work zone.
Further reading
For real-time road status across the state, check Current Conditions for Maryland travel updates.
More information
Find details on the Maryland SHA major projects and travel information page, or call the District 5 Office at 410-841-1000 or 800-331-5603.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Bay Net.
