Construction-Related Lane Closures Suspended for Holiday Weekend; Motorists Cautioned to Anticipate Heavy Traffic Volumes, Extra Travel Time          
          
(May 20, 2009) – With sunny skies in the forecast for the upcoming holiday weekend, thousands of travelers are expected to hit the roads over the next several days. The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is reminding travelers to buckle up, plan ahead and prepare for a safe and smooth holiday weekend.          
          
SHA will suspend all non-emergency roadwork on State roadways between noon on Friday, May 22 and 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26. Emergency traffic patrols will be placed strategically along metropolitan-area interstate routes to assist disabled vehicles and to clear incidents quickly.           
          
"Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and all of the driving that goes along with it. It's critical that all roadway users make smart decisions," said SHA Administrator and Governor's Highway Safety Representative Neil J. Pedersen. "Choose Safety for Life and B-SAFE -- Buckle up, Slow down-speeding kills, Always drive sober, Focus and Everyone share the road-everyone gets home."          
          
Congestion is expected to begin early Friday afternoon, May 22 and continue through most of the day along routes that include US 50 toward Ocean City, I-70 and I-68 west toward the mountains, and I-95 north toward Delaware. Saturday and Sunday travel over the Memorial Day weekend is traditionally heavy, particularly along I-95, and delays should be expected most of the day on Monday, May 25, as travelers return home.          
          
Motorists are encouraged to log onto www.marylandroads.com and click on the CHART icon for real-time traffic information.          
          
SHA provides the following tips to keep travelers safe during the Memorial Day holiday weekend:          
          
• Buckle up! It’s the law.           
          
• Make sure all passengers, even those in the back seat, are buckled up.          
          
• Do not drink and drive!          
          
• Travel during off peak hours and allow extra time for unexpected delays.          
          
• Slow down and pay attention, avoiding distractions such as cell-phone use.           
          
• Observe all posted speed limits.          
          
• In case of emergency along interstate routes, drivers with cellular phones can dial #77 to reach the Maryland State Police.           
          
• See and be seen. If it rains, remember that Maryland State Law requires the use of headlights while windshield wipers are in use.          
          
          
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