Traffic Shift onto MD 355 Relocated This Thursday Part of Urbana Village Center Project           
          
(October 28, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is working with Baier Properties to shift traffic along existing MD 355 (Urbana Pike) in Frederick County, beginning Thursday, October 30 after 9 a.m. weather permitting. The shift is part of the work for the developer-funded Urbana Village Center project in Frederick County. After the shift is in place, motorists will now travel along MD 355 Relocated as crews continue construction.           
          
This Thursday, southbound MD 355 will temporarily close 1000 feet south of MD 80 (Fingerboard Road) to through traffic and will be detoured the next three weeks. During the closure, crews will build the connection from existing MD 355 to the new roadway and reopen the road once the spur connection is complete. Additionally, northbound MD 355 will permanently close approximately one quarter mile north of Campus Drive.           
          
As part of the new traffic pattern, motorists traveling along southbound MD 355 will now use eastbound MD 80, then southbound MD 355 Relocated and back to existing MD 355. Motorists traveling along northbound MD 355 will now use MD 355 Relocated to reach existing MD 355. This pattern will continue until the Urbana Village Center construction is complete.           
          
Permanent guide signs will be in place to guide motorists along the new traffic pattern. Approximately 8,000 motorists travel through this area each day. Those who have questions about traffic operations along MD 355, or other State numbered routes in Frederick County may call SHA’s District 7 Office at 301-624-8100 or toll free at 1-800-635-5119.           
          
During the next several months, there could be more than 350 work zones statewide. Remember that work zones are not only large construction projects, but include smaller, mobile operations such as mowing, pothole repair and litter pick ups. Choose to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com.          
          
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