SHA to Improve Intersection Safety and Traffic Operations along Belair Road between Cottington Road and Joppa Road/India Avenue in Perry Hall          
          
(December 1, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) announced today the start of a $2 million project to improve intersection safety and traffic operations along US 1 (Belair Road) between Cottington Road and Joppa Road/India Avenue in the Perry Hall community of Baltimore County. Preliminary construction work on SHA’s project is slated to begin December 2, with the majority of the work starting in early spring 2009, weather permitting.           
          
SHA’s project includes: relocation of the existing traffic signal at the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center entrance to the entrance south of its current location; slight widening of Belair Road at the shopping center to improve right turns into the shopping center; construction of an exclusive northbound right turn lane from Belair Road to Joppa Road; repairing, grinding and resurfacing of the pavement in the project area; upgrading sections of sidewalks, curbs and crosswalks to meet Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; installation of brick accents along sidewalks; landscaping; upgrading traffic signal equipment and traffic signs; decorative pedestrian lighting and community banner poles.           
          
During construction, single-lane closures and traffic shifts along Belair Road and side streets and driveways may take place daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friday, and nightly between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Weather permitting, the project will be complete spring 2010.           
          
The SHA project is being done in coordination with the Baltimore County Department of Public Works’ project to install a new 24-inch water main, and rehabilitate the existing 12-inch main, underneath Belair Road between MD 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) and Ebenezer Road.           
          
The State’s contractor for the Belair Road project is Melvin Benhoff Sons, Inc. of Baltimore. Citizens with questions about SHA’s project may contact the SHA project field office in Perry Hall at 410-529-3270 or the SHA District Four Office in Lutherville at 410-321-2820 or toll free 1-800-962-3077.          
          
SHA and Baltimore County encourage all motorists to plan ahead for extra travel time along Belair Road and Joppa Road, to drive responsibly and “Think Orange” while driving through highway work zones by driving the speed limit and remaining alert at all times.           
          
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