Project will Add Guardrail Along Northbound US 15 between Rosemont Avenue and 7th Street, Site of Recent Tanker Truck Crash
(March 16, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will implement overnight lane closures beginning Sunday evening for the project to install a new guardrail along northbound US 15 between Rosemont Avenue and 7th Street in Frederick County. The agency conducted an engineering review after the March 4 fatal tanker truck crash and explosion at this location, and determined a guardrail is warranted to divide Apple Avenue from US 15 as an interim measure until a planned corridor widening project is constructed.
Beginning Sunday evening, crews will work 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. overnight through mid-week, weather permitting, to install the new guardrail. During work hours, the right lane and shoulder of northbound US 15 will be closed to establish a safe work zone.
The ramp from Rosemont Avenue to northbound US 15 also will be closed during the overnight work hours. Motorists on Rosemont Avenue needing to access northbound US 15 will be directed to southbound US 15 to the Jefferson Street exit, turn left onto Jefferson Street and then left again to northbound US 15. Southbound US 15 will not be impacted by the work.
Crews will use cones, barrels and electronic signs to guide motorists safely through the work zone. The State Highway Administration understands the lane closures will be an inconvenience, and asks drivers to slow down and pay close attention while traveling through the work zone.
The guardrail installation is an interim improvement in advance of the future US 15 widening project. This project is fully funded, and construction is expected to start in 2026. Learn more about this project by clicking here.
“Safety is always our top priority, and working with local officials and community members, we are committed to improvements along US 15 that benefit the traveling public and adjacent neighborhoods,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld.
“The State Highway Administration is listening to stakeholders and working with community leaders to install this guardrail as soon as possible as an interim measure,” said State Highway Administrator Tim Smith. “We look forward to further collaboration with local community members, as well as commuting customers, as the US 15 widening project moves forward.”