(September 6, 2012) – Major improvements are in the works for the busy Huyetts Crossroads intersection west of Hagerstown.

On Monday, September 10, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin construction on a $1.5 million intersection improvement project at US 40 (National Pike) and MD 63 (Greencastle Pike) that includes adding additional turn lanes and bicycle lanes on MD 63.

Weather permitting, the project will be complete in spring 2013. In the meantime, motorists should prepare for lane closures and intersection flagging on weekdays during non-peak hours, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and overnight.

“This project will bring much-needed improvements to safety and traffic flow at an important crossroads for the Hagerstown area,” District 6 Engineer Anthony Crawford said. “We appreciate motorists’ patience as we work to complete this project as quickly as possible.”

When the project is complete, MD 63 will have a dedicated left-turn lane, through lane, 6-foot bicycle lane and dedicated right-turn lane in each direction. Currently, it has only right-turn and through lanes (please see image below).

The new bicycle lanes will enhance safety for bicyclists, protecting them from right-turning traffic by providing a designated space for them to ride between the right-turn and through lanes as they approach the intersection. The bicycle lane will begin about 375 feet before the intersection on the northbound side and about a quarter-mile before the intersection on the southbound side.

An average of nearly 18,000 vehicles a day pass through this intersection on weekdays, with nearly two-thirds of the traffic on MD 63 turning onto US 40 at the intersection.

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.

SHA’s contractor for the project is Concrete General Inc. of Gaithersburg. Anyone with questions about the project or operations on any State numbered routes in Washington County may call SHA’s District 6 office at 301-729-8400.

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