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(June 7, 2013) – In partnership with Carroll County, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $2 million construction project to improve sight distance at the intersection of
MD 97 (Littlestown Pike) and Stone Road, north of Westminster.
“By relocating the end of Stone Road to move this intersection about 1,100 feet north to a flatter, straighter section of MD 97, this project will make it much easier for drivers on both roads to see oncoming traffic,” SHA District Engineer David Coyne said. “We appreciate your patience over the coming months and remind drivers to stay alert and use caution when traveling through the work zone.”
Crews began work at the site on May 28. Weather permitting, construction will be complete by the end of the year. During construction, motorists will encounter lane shifts, narrowed lanes and shoulder closures on MD 97 as crews work behind barrier wall to widen MD 97 for new acceleration and deceleration lanes at the future intersection location. In addition, motorists may encounter flagging operations on MD 97 Monday through Friday during off-peak hours, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. or between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. Crews will use signs, barrels, cones and flaggers to direct traffic through the work zone. This section of MD 97 has an average daily traffic volume of 14,800.
The existing Stone Road will remain open while crews build the 0.3-mile-long realigned section. Once construction is complete, access from MD 97 to the old section of Stone Road will be closed. The new traffic pattern will provide designated turn lanes from MD 97 onto Stone Road, and a designated right turn lane from Stone Road onto southbound MD 97.
SHA’s contractor for the project is C.J. Miller Inc. of Hampstead. Customers with questions about the project or about operations on other State (numbered) routes in Carroll County may call SHA’s District 7 Office at 301-624-8100, toll-free at 1-800-635-5119 or email
shadistrict7@sha.state.md.us.
While SHA and its partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert – look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don't follow too closely. Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones. For everyone!
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