Nighttime Single-Lane Closures Scheduled Between Hagerstown and West Virginia State Line           
          
(April 22, 2009) – This week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a resurfacing project along four miles of southbound I-81 (Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway) between Halfway Boulevard and the West Virginia state line in Washington County. SHA will complete the $3.3 million project by late-fall, weather permitting.           
          
Motorists should expect nighttime single lane nighttime closures along southbound I-81, Sunday through Thursday between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Variable message signs, barrels, and arrow boards will guide motorists through the work zone. More than 60,000 vehicles travel along this section of I-81 each day so motorists should expect delays.           
          
Work, scheduled to begin this week, includes grinding, patching and resurfacing of the pavement, drainage improvements. Safety improvements include traffic barrier upgrades, installation of recessed pavement markers, new pavement markings, delineators, shoulder rumble strips.           
          
SHA awarded the contract to C. William Hetzer Inc. of Hagerstown. Those who have questions about traffic operations along I-81, or other State numbered routes in Washington County, may call SHA’s District 6 Office at 301-729-8400 or toll free at           
1-800-760-7138.           
          
Motorists are reminded that the ramp from southbound I-81 (Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway) to eastbound I-70 (Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway) at the I-70/I-81 interchange in Hagerstown is closed. The full interchange should be open prior to Memorial Day weekend.           
          
Temporary traffic signs, cones and barrels will guide motorists through the work zone. Remember that work zones are not only large construction projects possibly taking years to complete, but smaller, mobile operations such as mowing, pothole repair and litter pick ups. Choose to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com.           
          
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