(July 7, 2010) – Today, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) announced planned improvements to the US 15 (Catoctin Mountain Highway) / Hayward Road intersection in Frederick. 

 

This intersection provides access to a growing number of commercial businesses, professional offices and residential developments located west of US 15.  Last month, amid concern that the number of crashes at the intersection was increasing, SHA convened a Technical Team to discuss safety improvements and gather additional input from community representatives.  Comprised of State, County and area law enforcement officials as well as safety and transportation experts, the team evaluated and discussed various options for enhancing safety for those traveling through the intersection.

 

“Working together with the community, public officials and transportation experts we were able to develop recommendations that we believe will improve safety and driver awareness at this intersection,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen.  “We are grateful for the cooperation and input of the Technical Team members and for the patience of community residents during this process.”

 

In August, SHA will reduce the speed limit from 55 to 50 miles per hour on southbound US 15 from north of Willow Road to south of Hayward Road.  Along with reducing the speed limits, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police will increase enforcement efforts along the corridor.

 

SHA will also install additional warning signs along southbound US 15 prior to Willow Road.  A speed-activated Hazard Identification Beacon and speed display board will be placed onsite and will activate when speeds five miles over the posted speed limit are detected. 

 

Later this summer, SHA will begin a project to relocate the southbound US 15 right-turn lane at Hayward Road 400 feet north to the existing service road that parallels US 15 on the west side of the intersection.  This improvement will reduce driver confusion and hesitation by allowing northbound US 15 drivers an unimpeded left turn onto Hayward Road without having to merge with the southbound right-turning vehicles.  Weather permitting, these improvements will be complete late fall.

 

For questions about this project and other State-maintained routes in Frederick County, interested citizens may call the District 7 Office in Frederick County at 301-624-8100, toll-free at 1-800-635-5119 or via email at SHADistrict7@sha.state.md.us

 

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