SHA to Temporarily Close Old Columbia Road as Part of Improvements Along US 29; Motorists Should Expect Lane Closures Through Early December          
          
(October 24, 2008) – On Monday, October 27, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a $500,000 project to enhance existing acceleration and deceleration lanes along US 29 (Columbia Pike) at Old Columbia Road in Howard County. SHA will widen and lengthen existing acceleration and deceleration lanes to enhance safety and reduce congestion as motorists enter and exit US 29 and nearby communities. Additionally, SHA will remove the “flex posts” at the intersection and construct a concrete island.          
          
SHA will temporarily close Old Columbia Road at US 29 this Monday after 9 a.m. SHA will re-open Old Columbia Road in early December. The closure is necessary as crews remove existing pavement and widen the acceleration and deceleration lanes at the US 29 and Old Columbia Road intersection. Closing Old Columbia Road will allow crews to expedite construction.          
          
Motorists should expect lane closures along US 29, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through early December. During construction, motorists are advised to reduce speed and stay alert. Variable message signs, barrels, and arrow boards will be placed in advance of the work zone to alert motorists. More than 50,000 vehicles travel along this section of US 29 each day.           
          
Motorists wishing to access Old Columbia Road will be detoured east along MD 216 to south along Leishear Road to west on Scaggsville Road to Harding Road to Old Columbia Road. Motorists wishing to access US 29 from Old Columbia Road will be detoured east along Harding Road to east on Scaggsville Road to north on Leishear Road to west on MD 216 to US 29. SHA will place signs to guide motorists through the detour route.           
          
SHA awarded the contract to Concrete General of Gaithersburg. SHA encourages motorists to stay alert in work zones and slow down. Citizens who have questions about traffic operations along US 29, or other State numbered routes in Howard County, may call SHA’s District 7 Office at 301-624-8100 or toll free at 1-800-635-5119.           
          
Remember that work zones are not only large construction projects possibly taking years to complete, but 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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