Both Locations to Close Temporarily on Wednesday, April 30          
          
          
(April 18, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close the South Mountain Welcome Centers/Rest Areas along eastbound and westbound I-70 at the Frederick/Washington County line on Wednesday, April 30. The closure is necessary to allow SHA to reconstruct the two welcome centers and rest areas with new buildings, entrance and exit roads, parking and other supporting features. The $21.4 million project should be complete in fall 2009, weather permitting.           
          
The existing facilities have reached the end on their usable life and need to be updated. The restrooms and parking areas were constructed in 1972; the Welcome Center buildings were added in 1978. During construction, parking will not be allowed at either location. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) will temporarily relocate the South Mountain Welcome Center to the Prime Outlets in Hagerstown (1-70, Exit 29 – MD 65 North). It will open at this new location on May 10.          
          
“The new welcome centers and rest areas will provide a safe, informative hub along a historic interstate which has served motorists for more than 40 years,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “Reconstructing the facilities will result in a mix of yesterday’s history with the technology and safety needs of today.”          
          
The enhanced Welcome Centers will be larger with increased space inside to provide information for visitors to Maryland. DBED’s Maryland Office of Tourism will equip the new buildings with flat screen televisions that will feature promotional videos and travel information, and a media room where travelers will have high-speed wireless internet access. These amenities will combine to provide visitors with travel information as well as a comprehensive orientation to the region’s heritage, recreational and culture resources.           
          
SHA will enhance the facility by adding a children’s play area, and a pet area. Both buildings will have ADA-compliant walking trails, picnic areas, parking and restrooms. The restroom facilities and parking area will be expanded to serve more visitors. Parking areas will be separated by vehicle type with different sections for cars, trucks and RVs/buses. The reconstructed facilities will have 76 parking spaces for vehicles, 26 parking spaces for commercial trucks and six parking spaces for RVs and buses. Facilities will be environmentally friendly, using energy reducing amenities such as geo-thermal heat pumps and low water usage bathroom fixtures.           
          
          
During the closure, commercial truck parking will not be available at the I-70 Welcome Centers; truck drivers are encouraged to make use of alternate sites in the region. Maryland State Police offers overnight commercial truck parking at all weigh stations when closed. Alternate           
overnight commercial truck parking is also available at the following locations:          
          
Maryland State Police New Market Weigh Station           
I-70 East Near Exit 62 (After Hours)          
          
Maryland State Police West Friendship Weigh Station           
I-70 West Near Exit 80 (After Hours)          
          
AC&T           
11535 Hopewell Road           
Hagerstown, MD 21740          
I-81, Exit 5          
301-582-2700          
800-458-3835          
          
Pilot Travel Center          
16921 Halfway Boulevard           
Hagerstown, MD 21740          
I-81, Exit 5B          
301-582-6111          
          
Pilot Travel Center          
11633 Greencastle Pike          
Hagerstown, MD 21740          
I-70, Exit 24          
          
SHA encourages motorists to stay alert in work zones. SHA awarded the contract to Kinsley Construction of Timonium. Citizens who have questions about the I-70 Welcome Center project or other state numbered routes in Frederick County, may call SHA’s District 7 Office toll-free           
at 1-800-635-5119.           
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