​Three-Step Project to Include Safety Enhancements and Resurfacing of I-68 in Cumberland 

(September 14, 2021) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin a roadway improvement and safety enhancement project on I-68 (National Freeway) at Haystack Mountain in Allegany County tonight, September 14. The work is expected to complete by Friday, October 8, weather permitting.   

Starting at 8 p.m., crews will begin a three-step project that includes patching, milling and resurfacing a portion of I-68. Crews will work 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays. During work hours and until completion, motorists can expect short-term lane closures on I-68 westbound between Exit 41, Seton Drive, and the top of Haystack Mountain and I-68 eastbound between Exit 40, MD 658 (Vocke Road) and Exit 42, US 220 (Greene Street) southbound.      

Throughout the project, crews are expected to work on the following schedule:   

• Patching on both directions of I-68: Tonight, crews will patch the I-68 westbound ramp at Exit 41, Seton Drive, to the top of Haystack Mountain. Crews will also be patching I-68 eastbound between MD 658 and just west of US 220.    
• Milling on I-68 eastbound: Once the patching is complete, a continuous 48-hour double lane closure will go in effect for I-68 between MD 658 and US 220 southbound. Crews will be milling the roadway and leveling the foundation. The center lane and the right truck climbing lane will be closed; the left lane will remain open to traffic. Once complete, eastbound traffic will be returned to normal operation.   
• Milling on I-68 westbound: Crews will close the right truck climbing lane and the center lane on  I-68 westbound between Exit 41, Seton Drive and the top of Haystack Mountain for 24 hours to mill and level the foundation of the roadway. The left lane will remain open to traffic. Eastbound traffic will be returned to normal operation upon completion.

For the final step in this project, crews will use the overnight work hours -- 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays -- to place the final surface course on both directions of I-68.   

Contractor Belt Paving, Inc, of Cumberland will use traffic control devices, signage and flagging to guide motorists through the work zone. This project is being done to increase the safety of motorists and improve the driving surface.

MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers.  Drivers need to stay alert, focus on driving and look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones. 

Stranded motorists can dial #77 on their mobile device for roadside assistance.

For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to Project Portal. Visit our homepage at roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to md511.maryland.gov.

Editor’s Note

From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders.  MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.