Crews Will Work Overnight Into July to Improve Six Miles of Roadway

(March 17, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin a project next week to improve the driving surface along westbound Interstate-70 in Howard County. Beginning Monday, March 21, crews will work overnight on the roadway between the westbound US 40 (Baltimore National Pike) merge ramp and MD 97 (Hoods Mill Road).    

As part of this $4.6 million project, crews will remove the top layer of the roadway, repair potholes and depressions to smooth out the surface, and install a new layer of asphalt. Crews will work Sunday night through Friday mornings, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. During work hours, motorists can expect single lane closures on westbound I-70. The work is expected to be completed in July.   

The project includes surface improvements to exit ramps. The following exit ramps will close when crews are working in that area:  

• Exit ramp to MD 32.   
• Southbound MD 32 ramp to westbound I-70.   
• Exit ramp to MD 97.   

The contractor, Allan Myers Inc., based in Jessup, will use signs, cones and electronic arrow boards to alert motorists about the lane and exit ramp closures and guide them through the work zone. Motorists will be detoured to the next interchange and use eastbound I-70 to access MD 32 or MD 97 when westbound I-70 exit ramps are closed.    

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

Motorists in need may 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.