Overhead Speed System Enhances Safety along MD 135          
          
(January 2, 2008) – To improve safety and promote speed awareness, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has activated a runaway truck warning system to improve safety along MD 135 (Maryland Highway) west of Bloomington, Garrett County. The downward side of MD 135 located on Backbone Mountain ends in a 90 degree right turn, which can be difficult to navigate.           
          
Installed in early November, the runaway truck warning system will detect the length and speed of a vehicle as it passes underneath an overhead sensor. When a truck exceeding the maximum safe speed passes under the sensor, the system will activate its flashing lights on an overhead warning sign ahead that reads “Truck Runaway Danger When Flashing – Escape Ramp One Mile.” The subsequent ramp allows trucks to slow prior to approaching the 90 degree turn along MD135.           
          
This warning system is the latest in a series of safety enhancements SHA made in recent years. Other safety enhancements implemented in the past include: construction of three mandatory truck pull off areas at the top, middle, and near the bottom of the hill that require truck drivers to stop and verify brakes are functioning properly; reduction of truck speed limits to 10 mph; improved visibility of the existing truck escape ramp by removing trees approaching the ramp; and installing highway lighting.           
          
In addition, approximately 25 signs will be upgraded with brighter colors along the road with varying messages about the grade length, grade speed, truck escape ramps, brake check pull off locations, etc. Citizens who have questions about traffic operations along MD 135 or other State numbered routes in Garrett County may call SHA’s District 6 Office at 301-729-8400 or toll free at 1-800-760-7138.           
          
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