SMITHFIELD – Work to remove and replace the US 301 bridge spanning the Neuse River south of Smithfield will begin this spring, after the state highway department awarded a $9. During construction, the ex ast impactful and most cost eficient design. None of the alternatives incl ded a closure of the existing US 301. (September 20, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin a project Monday, September 26, to replace the northbound US 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) bridge over Chester River, south of the MD 291 overpass near Millington, in Queen Anne's. Replace 2 bridges along US-301 over N. Project is built mainly offline with new Roadway approaches including asphalt, drainage, curb and gutter, wet utilities.