Lane Closures Next Week are Necessary to Shift Traffic for I-95/Arena Drive Project; Motorists Should Seek Alternate Routes and Expect Delays           
          
(November 13, 2008) – Beginning next Monday night, November 17, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close the three left lanes during overnight hours along northbound I-95 between exit 13, Ritchie Marlboro Road and exit 15, MD 214 (Central Avenue.) as part of the $26.5 million I-95/Arena Drive project.          
          
The lane closures are necessary to ensure worker and motorist safety as crews shift traffic to the newly created left lane and left shoulder. When complete, motorists will continue to have four through lanes along northbound I-95 though traffic will be shifted to the left.          
          
SHA will remove and replace pavement markings, shifting the current traffic pattern to the left, allowing motorists to utilize the new left lane and left shoulder. During the overnight work next Monday through Thursday nights, motorists can expect a single left lane closure at 8 p.m. each night, followed by a double lane closure until 10 p.m., with three left lanes to be closed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.           
          
SHA will provide variable message signs, drums, and arrow boards to guide motorists through the work zone. To avoid any delays, particularly between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., motorists can use MD 193 or US 301 to the east or I-295 to the west to bypass I-95. The overall Arena Drive project began summer 2007 and is expected to be complete late-summer 2009, weather permitting.           
          
SHA reminds all drivers to buckle up, obey posted speed limits, think orange, and stay alert. Customers who have questions about traffic operations on I-95/I-495 or other State numbered routes in Prince George’s County may call SHA’s District 3 Office at 301-513-7300 or toll free at 1-800-749-0737.          
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