SHA to Improve Safety and Traffic Flow along Liberty Road between Anne Hathaway Drive and Offutt Road in Randallstown          
          
(August 20, 2008) – This week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) began a $1.2 million project to improve MD 26 (Liberty Road) between Anne Hathaway Drive and Offutt Road in Randallstown. The project will continue through spring 2009, weather permitting.           
          
The Liberty Road project includes: repairing, grinding and resurfacing the pavement along Liberty Road; replacing sections of sidewalks and curbs to meet ADA standards; upgrading the traffic signals at the Liberty Road intersections with McDonogh Road/Greens Lane and at Offutt Road; repairing storm drain systems; and adjusting utility and SHA manholes in the pavement.           
          
Motorists should expect single-lane closures and traffic shifts along Liberty Road and connecting streets may take place at any time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and overnight between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Approximately 30,000 vehicles travel along this section of Liberty Road each day. SHA awarded the contract to Machado Construction of Baltimore.          
          
This is the fifth highway safety improvement project along the Liberty Road corridor in recent years. SHA is nearing completion of a $2.8 million project to enhance pedestrian safety and transit access between the Baltimore City/County line and Brenbrook Drive. Other projects included a $4.5 million project to improve the I-695 interchange, Washington Avenue intersection and new Lord Baltimore Drive connector road, completed in 2004; a $2.2 million project between Washington Avenue and Courtleigh Drive, completed in 2002; and a $1 million project between Courtleigh Drive and Anne Hathaway Drive in 1999. In 2003, SHA reduced the speed limit along Liberty Road between the Baltimore City line and Brenbrook Drive from 40 mph to 35 mph.           
          
During the next several months, when warmer temperatures dominate, work zones will be an increasingly familiar sight along state and local roadways. On any one day, there could be more than 350 work zones. 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. When workers are on the road, THINK ORANGE, which is the color of construction signs, barrels and warning devices. Please slow down, stay alert and expect the unexpected. Choose to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com.          
          
Citizens with questions about the Liberty Road project may contact the SHA project field office in Randallstown at 410-496-3016 or the SHA District Four Office in Lutherville at 410-321-2820 or toll free 1-800-962-3077.           
          
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