(April 10, 2012) – Why is work zone safety everyone’s business?  Because Maryland motorists will be sharing the road with more than 115 major construction projects, along with hundreds of moving smaller maintenance repairs on any given day throughout the state.

 

Today, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) joined the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) and Maryland State Police (MSP) from the bridge reconstruction along I-695 at the Wilkens Avenue interchange and then later at the MD 202 bridge reconstruction in Landover to update motorists on major upcoming roadway construction projects. In addition to improving the state’s infrastructure, these projects represent an annual capital investment of $863.4 million and support about 11,000 jobs. The projects are listed in the annual e-Road Ready electronic construction guide for highway work zones around the state, available by visiting the homepage of SHA’s website - www.roads.maryland.gov .

“Work zones can be dangerous for our crews, as well as motorists,” said Melinda B. Peters, SHA Administrator.  “The key to keeping everyone safe on the road is to slow down and pay careful attention behind the wheel.  Our goal is to get everyone – drivers and workers – home safely at the end of the day – work zone safety starts by being prepared and knowing where and when to expect roadway construction.”  

e-Road Ready provides a complete guide to major projects throughout Maryland.  Organized by counties, each section features hyperlinks to SHA district offices, county public works departments and key project information.  Although there will be hundreds of smaller projects or mobile operations such as pot hole repair, tree trimming and utility operations, e-Road Ready details longer term construction. They include major Baltimore beltway bridge work at Wilkens Avenue, Charles Street and Liberty and Frederick roads, and in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties on I-495, MD 201, and MD 650.  The listing also includes major MDTA projects, most of which are in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
 

“Already the construction season has opened with the injury of an MDTA contractor working on I-95 near Caton Avenue,” said MDTA Executive Secretary Harold L. Bartlett.  “As we continue progress on our major projects and perform routine maintenance, we want everyone to stay alert, so no one gets hurt.”

 

Echoing that sentiment was Maryland State Police Lt. Colonel Pete Landon, who reminded Maryland motorists that work zones are speed enforced for everyone’s safety.  “Maryland State Police will be vigilant in enforcing aggressive driving laws, particularly in work zones where our family, friends and coworkers are working.  By reducing speeding in work zones through the SafeZones automated speed enforcement program and traditional enforcement, we are protecting highway workers, troopers and other law enforcement personnel, as well as drivers and passengers, who statistics indicate are the most likely to be injured or killed in work zone related-crashes.”  The guide also indicates the projects that feature SafeZones.

 

Be Safe on the Roads and be Road Ready:
- Expect that you will encounter road work in your daily commutes and travels this spring and summer.  Know where work is occurring and plan according.  e-Road Ready features Scenic Byway information to help you plan alternate routes.
- Think orange – the standard color of roadway construction.  When you see road work signage, cones and barrels – be on alert for stopped or slow traffic, equipment, uneven pavement, dust, etc.
- Just drive – texting and hand-held cell phone use are illegal in the State of Maryland. Often with narrowed lanes and elimination of shoulders, work areas leave very little or no margin for error.  Put both hands on the wheel and give the task of driving your undivided attention.
- Partner with us and make sure your vehicle is road ready and well-maintained for spring and summer travel. e-Road Ready features tips to help you on your way.
- People are SHA’s best source of information on the roadways. 

 

If you notice a pothole, sign down or any other concern on an SHA maintained highway (State numbered route), log onto www.roads.maryland.gov and click “Contact Us” to report a concern or request.  Items that are entered into SHA’s customer care management system are automatically directed to the appropriate SHA department and are tracked until the issue is resolved.
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