(October 24, 2012) – Motorists on eastbound I-70 will notice changes near the bridges over South Street in Frederick this weekend as the State Highway Administration (SHA) shifts eastbound traffic onto a new bridge and reopens the eastbound on and off ramps for South Street.

Weather permitting, crews will shift eastbound I-70 traffic onto the new bridge and lanes on Friday night, October 26 into Saturday morning, October 27. This shift will require traffic on I-70 to be temporarily reduced to a single lane beginning at 8 p.m. Friday and continuing through mid-morning Saturday. The rain date for this shift is Saturday night into Sunday morning.

On Sunday, crews will test a new railroad crossing at the entrance to Lafarge Frederick Quarry. If no changes are needed, crews will then activate a new traffic signal at the quarry entrance and reopen the on and off ramps for eastbound I-70 at South Street.

Shifting traffic onto the newly constructed road and bridge sections to the outside of the existing ones will allow crews to begin demolishing the old South Street bridges and constructing the second phase (inner portion) of the new bridge and roadway. Weather permitting, the entire project will be complete in summer 2013.

SHA’s contractor for the project is Corman Construction of Annapolis Junction. Anyone with questions about the I-70 project may call the project’s 24-hour hotline at 855-213-0070.

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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