Crews To Improve Safety along I-68; Resurface Section of MD 135 this Fall           
          
(September 10, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has two safety improvement projects underway in Allegany and Garrett counties. Both are along major thoroughfares in western Maryland and scheduled for completion this fall.          
          
SHA is improving a curve along westbound I-68 (National Freeway) near the Mountain Road bridge overpass in Allegany County. SHA will enhance the bank elevation of the right curve to help motorists better navigate the curve. As part of the improvement, SHA will resurface approximately one-mile of the roadway curve along I-68. The $804,000 project should be complete by late-fall, weather permitting.           
          
Motorists should expect single-lane closures along I-68 in this area between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Variable message signs, barrels, and arrow boards will guide motorists through the work zone. More than 15,000 vehicles travel along this section of I-68 each day. SHA awarded the contract to P & W Excavating of McConnellsburg, Pa.           
          
SHA is also resurfacing approximately two miles along both directions of MD 135 (Maryland Highway) between Lee Road and the Allegany County Line in Garrett County. Motorists should expect single lane closures along MD 135 from 6 a.m. on Monday to midnight on Friday. Variable message signs, barrels, flagpersons, and arrow boards will guide motorists through the work zone. More than 6,500 vehicles travel along this section of MD 135 each day. SHA awarded the $1.3 million project was awarded to Keystone Lime Co., of Springs, Pa.           
          
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. Citizens who have questions about traffic operations along I-68, MD 135 or other State numbered routes in Allegany or Garrett counties, may call SHA’s District 6 Office at 301-729-8400 or toll free at 1-800-760-7138.