Travelers Advised to Use Alternate Routes
(November 30, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will implement a one-week traffic shift with lane closures on westbound US 40 (Pulaski Highway) at the intersection of Joppa Farm Road in Harford County. The original date when work was to begin, December 2, was postponed. A new date will be announced.
Crews will close both through lanes on westbound US 40 between west of Joppa Road and Joppa Farm Road. During the closure, all traffic on westbound US 40 will be shifted to the left side of the road as a single lane at the Joppa Farm Road intersection. The lane closures will enable crews to remove sections of concrete pavement, then pour and cure new concrete stop pads. The new concrete lanes will be closed to traffic until they are tested and rated safe for travel.
Subsequently, MDOT SHA will re-open one of the through lanes, and the left-turn lane will revert to left turn movements only. The other through lane will remain closed 24/7 until approximately 5 a.m. the next morning. Right turns will continue to be permitted.
MDOT SHA encourages motorists traveling west on US 40 toward Baltimore to take alternate routes, such as MD 7 (Philadelphia Road) and I-95 (John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway). The MDOT Maryland Transit Administration Commuter Bus stops at US 40/Joppa Farm Road and US 40/Ebenezer Road will be temporarily discontinued due to the construction. Riders should use the stop at US 40/Woodbridge Center Way.
In the event of extremely cold weather, work on westbound US 40 approaching Joppa Farm Road will begin on the next possible Friday night. The work is part of the overall project to rehabilitate four bridges carrying US 40 over the Little Gunpowder Falls and the Gunpowder Falls. The project should be complete spring 2023.
Maryland’s Move Over Law requires motorists to make a lane change or slow down when approaching any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying hazard warning lights, road flares or other caution signals. The expanded law is in place to protect emergency responders and motorists who encounter a roadside emergency.
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.