(March 11, 2014) – The State Highway Administration (SHA) will drive two wooden test piles this week at the site of the Park and Ride lot adjacent to MD 304 (Ruthsburg Road) immediately west of US 301. For two days this month, the testing that requires pile driving is expected to create loud noise during daylight hours.

The two wooden pilings will be driven into the ground off the corner of the park and ride lot on Friday, March 14, weather permitting. Both pilings will be re-struck on Monday, March 17. The parking capacity of the lot will not change after the test piles are completed until later this year. The Park and Ride lot will re-open Wednesday, March 19, weather permitting.

The testing will allow SHA to determine the engineering properties and capacity of the soil at the site of the new interchange which is scheduled to begin construction in fall 2014.

The existing Park and Ride facility will remain at its current location after the interchange is built, but the number of parking spaces will increase. SHA expects the project to be advertised in June and a contract awarded by mid-July.

# # #