Weekend Rain and Snow Melt Causes Abandoned Mines to Flood along MD 657
 
 
(March 15, 2010) –MD 657 in Allegany County is temporarily closed to allow the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) to make repairs to the roadway caused by heavy rains and snow melt.  MD 657, also known as Douglas Avenue/Skids Hill Road, is closed between MD 36 (George’s Creek Road) and the Garrett County line.
 

Weekend rain has caused an abandoned mine along MD 657 to flood, creating dangerous conditions along MD 657.  Continuing rain and the increased water table from melting snow could cause flooding to continue for several days.  SHA will reopen MD 657 once the water has receded and repairs have been made.

During the temporary closure motorists will be detoured as follows:

• Motorists wishing to access westbound MD 657 will continue south along MD 36 to MD 935 (Lower Georges Creek Road) to Bartlett Run Road to Michael Road to Russell Road to Westernport Road to Swamp Road to MD 657. 

• Eastbound motorists will be detoured from MD 657 to Swamp Road to Westernport Road to Russell Road to Michael Road to Bartlett Run Road to MD 935 to MD 36 back to MD 657.

Motorists should allow an additional 30 minutes of travel time during the detour.  Citizens who have questions about traffic operations along MD 657, or other State numbered routes in Allegany County, may call SHA’s District 6 Office at 301-729-8400 or toll free at 1-800-760-7138.  

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