Recently Completed: Route 17 Emergency Repair

An emergency repair project was completed on Oct. 21, 2021, on Route 17 in Caroline County. Two-way traffic has been restored between Mount Road and Ware Creek Road.

Route 17 closed to traffic in February 2021 after a slope failed adjacent to the road, and a drainage pipe failed underneath the road. Traffic was detoured until March, when a temporary traffic signal was installed. The temporary signal allowed one lane to remain open while emergency repairs were underway.

Crews solidified the slope using special equipment, including a soil nail launcher. The equipment drilled holes beneath the road and inserted steel rods, which were covered with mesh wire net and anchored with bolts, and then covered with rip rap. Replacing the drainage pipe required boring about 150 feet underneath the road with a drilling machine.

On Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, motorists may encounter brief, intermittent flagging operations between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as the project contractor retrieves equipment.

Benefits 

Emergency project repaired slope and drainage pipe for motorist safety.  

Major Milestones 

Feb. 9, 2021: Route 17 closed for emergency repairs after slope failure and drainage pipe failure. 

March 2, 2021: Route 17 reopened to traffic with one-way, alternating traffic in the work zone controlled by a traffic signal.

Oct. 21, 2021: Emergency repair complete, and two-way traffic is restored.