SHA to Establish Alternate Routes for Westbound I-70 Traffic; Motorists Should Expect Major Delays along I-70 in Frederick County and Plan for Extra Travel Time          
          
(April 24, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration is closing westbound I-70 at South Street (exit #55) in Frederick County. The closure is necessary to repair a sinkhole that has developed along westbound I-70 near South Street. SHA will keep the left shoulder open for traffic, but is also establishing two alternate routes for motorists along westbound I-70 to help maintain traffic through Frederick. Motorists are urged to use the alternate routes.          
          
Motorists will be provided with a choice of alternate routes. Traffic can take exit #56 (MD 144/Patrick Street) through the City of Frederick and back to westbound I-70. Traffic farther east is advised to use northbound MD 75 (Green Valley Road)/exit #62 to westbound MD 26 (Liberty Road) to southbound US 15 (Catoctin Mountain Highway) and back to westbound I-70. Trucks are urged to use the MD 75 alternate route.          
          
Crews are working hard to fill and stabilize the sinkhole and will use a nearby paving contractor to resurface the repaired section of roadway by Friday’s morning rush hour, weather permitting.          
          
SHA maintenance technicians closed the right lane early this morning to begin stabilizing a sinkhole that was developing. As crews were working, a section of the sinkhole opened and collapsed a portion of the right lane along westbound I-70.           
          
SHA appreciates motorists’ patience as we work hard to re-open the travel lanes along westbound I-70. Motorists are urged to log onto www.marylandroads.com and click the CHART icon for the latest travel conditions.          
          
          
          
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