(June 11, 2012) - The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a project to improve safety and traffic operations along MD 26 (Liberty Road) at Wards Chapel Road in Baltimore County.  

The $1.4 million project will provide an additional through lane along eastbound Liberty Road at Wards Chapel Road, for a distance of one-half mile.  The project also includes: roadway widening, resurfacing and installation of pavement markings; construction of a concrete median; construction of granite curbs; upgrades to existing the drainage system; upgrades to traffic signs at the intersection; and minor landscaping.
 

SHA will close and shift traffic along Liberty Road during construction work to ensure the safety of travelers and construction crews.  Single lane closures may occur along Liberty Road in the vicinity of Wards Chapel Road daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday – Friday and nightly between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. the next day, Sunday through Thursday.  Crews may institute flagging operations at night for work on drainage pipes crossing underneath the highway. 

SHA advises motorists to plan ahead for extra travel time and look ahead for crews working along Liberty Road during off-peak travel hours.  This intersection project will be coordinated with SHA’s ongoing $2.6 million project to improve and resurface Liberty Road between Powells Run Road and Offutt Road, which will be complete early fall.

The state’s contractor for the Liberty Road project is Kibler Construction Company of Finksburg.  Weather permitting, the entire project will be complete fall 2012.  Citizens with questions about the project may contact SHA’s District 4 Office - Construction Division at 410-229-2420, toll-free at 1-866-998-0367 or by email: shadistrict4@sha.state.md.us. 

Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information!  Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org  for current travel information. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely - Maryland law prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

While SHA and its transportation 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 and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don’t follow too closely.   Safer driving and safer work zones for everyone!

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