(JULY 13, 2012) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) advises motorists to drive with caution and anticipate delays on southbound US 29 at US 40 near Ellicott City as a new traffic pattern takes effect Thursday, July 19.  The new traffic pattern  is part of SHA’s bridge rehabilitation project on the US 29 bridges over US 40 and Frederick Road.

Starting Thursday morning, crews will divide the southbound lanes on US 29, with two lanes on the left of a work zone and one lane to the right. All lanes will continue through, but traffic exiting onto US 40 must use the right lane. The lane divide will begin north of US 40 and end south of Frederick Road.

After approximately one month, the work zone will shift and wokers will divide the lanes with one to the left of the work zone and two to the right. The divided lane conditions will continue through early fall. Weather permitting, the bridge rehabilitation project will be complete in late fall.

Motorists should also anticipate temporary single- or double-lane closures on US 29 southbound during off-peak hours, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights.

The traffic patterns for the southbound lanes will be similar to those used on the northbound lanes this spring and summer. Work on the northbound lanes will be complete on Thursday and northbound traffic will return to its normal lane configuration.

To protect highway construction workers and motorists, the Maryland SafeZones automated speed enforcement program is in effect on southbound US 29 in the area of the project and the speed limit on US 29 has been reduced to 50 MPH. Maryland SafeZones will issue $40 citations to motorists exceeding the posted speed limit by 12 mph or more.

Motorists on US 40 also should also know that project workers temporarily reduced the merge area on the ramp from eastbound US 40 to southbound US 29. Traffic exiting from eastbound US 40  must yield on the ramp to traffic exiting from westbound US 40. This has created delays on US 40 eastbound during peak hours. Next Thursday, SHA will extend this merge area to improve traffic flow.

SHA’s contractor for the project is G.A. & F. C. Wagman, Inc., of York, Pa. The project includes replacing the deck (driving surface) of the bridges. Working from right to left, one lane at a time, crews are milling the bridge deck, then hydroblasting (extreme, high-pressure power washing) and pouring new concrete.

Those who have questions about traffic operations along US 29, US 40, or other state numbered routes in Howard County may call SHA’s District 7 Office in Frederick at 301-624-8100 or 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!

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.

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