(August 16, 2011) – On Friday August 19, America’s 911 Foundation, Inc. will lead a group of more than 2,500 motorcycles and other vehicles on a ride from Somerset, PA to Arlington, VA in remembrance of lives lost on September 11, 2001.  Since that time, the organization has provided support for active first responders nationwide. 

Participants will travel on several State maintained routes, including more than 85 miles heading east on interstates I-68 and I-70 in Western Maryland.  Traffic is expected to be affected between 7:30 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m. Friday afternoon.  According to the foundation’s website, www.americas911ride.org, the group is expected to:

• Arrive in Cumberland between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. 
• Travel approximately 35 miles on eastbound I-68 until it merges with I-70. 
• Continue east on I-70 an additional 29 miles to Hagerstown and exit east of Hagerstown onto MD 632 (Downsville Pike) toward the Premium Outlets, arriving between 10:30 and 11 a.m.
• Depart the outlets at 1:00 p.m. using MD 65, then travel east on I-70 toward Frederick and exit onto southbound US 15/US 340.
• Exit Maryland on US 15 in the Point of Rocks area heading toward Leesburg, Virginia.

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), the Maryland State Police, local police and numerous other agencies continue to work together, making preparations in advance of the ride and ultimately supporting the safe movement of the large group. 

Motorists traveling on eastbound I-68 or eastbound I-70 between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. should strongly consider avoiding those routes on Friday, August 19.  The entire group is likely to stretch up to 15 miles in length with ramps blocked; access onto or off of I-68 or I-70 will be extremely difficult. 

In the afternoon, SHA will also temporarily close the ramp from westbound I-70 onto southbound US 15 / US 340 to allow the group access from eastbound I-70 onto US 15/US 340 (Exit 52).  Both eastbound and westbound I-70 share the same ramp onto southbound US 15/US 340.  Westbound I-70 motorists will be directed to the next exit for US 40 Alternate.

Additional perpendicular routes including US 220 in Allegany County,  I-81 in Washington County US 15 north of Frederick in Frederick County and US 522 in Hancock will experience major delays as the group travels along eastbound I-68, eastbound I-70 and southbound US 15. 

Know before you go. Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information!  Call 511 or visit: www.md511.org  for current travel information. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely - Maryland law restricts hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

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