(April 9, 2009) – On Tuesday morning, April 14, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close 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. SHA will reopen the ramp on Wednesday May 20, prior to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, weather permitting.          
          
As part of the $3.4 million project to improve safety at the I-70/I-81 interchange, SHA will temporarily close the ramp prior to the morning commute. The closure is necessary to facilitate construction as crews improve the bank elevation of the curve to enhance safety along the ramp. The I-70/I-81 interchange carries 55,000 vehicles per day – 34 percent of which is truck traffic.          
          
During the ramp closure, motorists wishing to access eastbound I-70 from southbound I-81 will be detoured to the exit for US 11 (Virginia Avenue). The detour will take motorists to northbound I-81, then back to eastbound I-70. As part of the detour, SHA will close one lane in each direction of US 11 at the interchange, which will provide a safer transition from US 11 to the ramp for I-81 North.          
          
SHA awarded the contract to C. William Hetzer, Inc. of Hagerstown. Those who have questions about traffic operations along I-70, 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.           
          
During the next several months, there could be more than 350 work zones. 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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