New Through and Turns Lanes Will Improve Safety and Unlock Congestion

(May 4, 2017) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a project to widen MD 26 (Liberty Road) between Emerald Lane and Calvert Way/Piney Ridge Parkway from a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway in Sykesville, Carroll County.  Weather permitting, the $5.7 million project will be complete summer 2018.

SHA’s contractor, C.J. Miller, LLC. of Hampstead, will widen MD 26 and add bicycle-compatible shoulders.  Crews will also build acceleration and deceleration lanes, as well as a left turn lane at the MD 26/Emerald Lane intersection.

“This project is a perfect example of a smaller project yielding major benefits by reducing congestion and improving safety,” said Acting District Engineer John Concannon.  “SHA’s improvements will eliminate the current bottleneck caused by the lane reduction, which will significantly improve traffic flow.”

Most of the work on the project will take place behind temporary barrier wall, which will reduce construction-related delays.  Motorists can expect single lane closures on MD 26 while temporary concrete barrier is installed and drivers will be guided by flaggers between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during this phase of the project.  Approximately 25,000 motorists use this section of Liberty Road each day.

While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver need 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.

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.