​​(July 20, 2018) – On Monday morning, July 23, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will open the Monocacy Boulevard Bridge over US 15 and a new ramp, which are both part of the US 15 (Catoctin Mountain Highway)/Monocacy Boulevard Interchange project in Frederick. Construction on the project will continue through fall when the entire interchange should be available to motorists.

New traffic movements opening Monday are:

• Four-lane Monocacy Boulevard Bridge over US 15;

• Monocacy Boulevard ramp to northbound US 15. Motorists now have an option to turn left at the traffic signal or use this new ramp to merge onto northbound US 15;

• Thomas Johnson Drive connection to Christophers Crossing (west of US 15) will be assessible via a new traffic signal; and

• Pedestrians and bicyclists will have access to a large section (nearly one-half mile) of a new hiker/biker trail on the northside of Monocacy Boulevard, which will connect trail users to area neighborhoods on either side of US 15.

To prepare for these changes, MDOT SHA crews will detour traffic, which will provide motorists with access to Monocacy Boulevard from US 15:

Northbound detour:  Motorists will be detoured prior to Monocacy Boulevard to northbound US 15 to eastbound MD 26 and back to Monocacy Boulevard.

 

 

 

(MDOT SHA graphic: Partial opening of the new US 15/Monocacy Boulevard interchange.)

MDOT SHA’s contractor, Kibler Construction Co., Inc. of Finksburg, will use variable message boards, signs, and barrels to guide motorists through the work zone and detour and alert them of upcoming traffic impacts. Today, nearly 45,500 vehicles travel in this area daily and by the year 2035, it is projected to reach 85,500.

“As Frederick County continues to attract jobs and families, it is critical that our highway improvements provide safe, direct access for those traveling along one of the County’s major corridors,” stated District 7 Engineer John Concannon. “These enhancements will greatly improve safety and allow people to reach their destinations sooner.”

The $61 million project is expected to be fully finished this fall, when the remaining interchange ramps and the 400-space ridesharing lot open. The City of Frederick and Frederick County each contributed funding to the engineering phase for the overall project.

 

 

(MDOT SHA graphic: New roadway connection for Motorists in Frederick County at the new US 15/Monocacy Boulevard interchange.)

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