Motorists Should Expect Double Lane Nighttime Closures through Summer

(May 23, 2016) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) recently began resurfacing more than 12 miles of eastbound I-70 between MD 144 (Old National Pike) and MD 27 (Ridge Road).  Weather permitting, the $8.8 million project will be complete late summer.

Drivers should expect single and double lane closures weeknights between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.; crews will not close lanes during the Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day holiday weekends.  SHA’s contractor, Francis O. Day Co., Inc. of Rockville, will patch, grind (remove the top layer of pavement), resurface and restripe the pavement and replace guardrail  SHA will use barrels, digital message signs and arrow boards to guide motorists through the work zone.  Motorists should plan extra travel time.

As a reminder, SHA is also resurfacing I-70 between Marriottsville Road and the Baltimore County line, just east of this area. Lane closures may be present in both areas during the overnight hours so please plan ahead and consider alternate routes as needed. 

Resurfacing Maryland’s State roads helps provide a smoother ride, increase roadway service life and enhance safety by improving friction, drainage and visibility of pavement markings. Approximately 70,000 vehicles use this section of I-70 each day.

While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands.

A complete listing of current roadway projects is included in e-Road Ready 2016, the online brochure. Maryland drivers can also know before they go by calling 511 or visiting www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and lane closures. Those who have questions about SHA projects in Howard County may call the SHA District 7 Office at 301-729-8400, toll-free at 1-800-760-7138 or send email to shadistrict7@sha.state.md.us.