​(April 30, 2019) – On Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m., the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin a project to reduce flooding and improve overall drainage on MD 495 (Swanton Road) in Garrett County. The $450,000 project will be complete by the end of May.

 

MDOT SHA will replace two small pipes and replace them with three large culvert pipes under MD 495 between the Swanton town limits and MD 135 (Maryland Highway). The larger culverts will allow more roadside drainage to pass under the road and reduce the frequency of recurring flooding.

 

To expedite the pipe crossing work, MDOT SHA’s contractor, Harbel Construction of Cumberland, will close and detour MD 495 for two weekends beginning May 3 through May 6 and May 10 through May 13. Should weather become an issue, a third weekend, May 17 Through May 20, will be used to complete the project.

 

MD 495 will be closed each weekend from 7 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. Motorists will be guided to MD 135, which runs nearly parallel to MD 495 through the Town of Swanton. Motorists can expect single lane closures Mondays through Fridays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

 

 

 

(MDOT SHA graphic: Detour route for MD 495 temporary closure and detour.)

 

This work falls within the limits of an existing resurfacing project on the three miles of Swanton Road. The resurfacing work, which has been on winter shutdown, will commence after the culvert pipe replacement work and be complete early summer.

 

MDOT SHA is using an innovative technology on the resurfacing project called “Cold In-Place” recycling on this project. This is a process of milling existing pavement and reformulating the material on-site and adding it back as a layer of asphalt. This process does not require heat to mix the material, which is combined with other aggregate (rocks) and compacted to obtain the right strength to bear traffic loads.

 

Approximately 1,700 vehicles use this section of Swanton Road each day, so motorists are encouraged to add extra commuting time during construction.

 

MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our contractor. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on the road and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Drive like you work here and slowdown in construction zones.

 

For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, click on Road Ready, MDOT SHA's electronic construction brochure. For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto md511.maryland.gov.

 

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