(September 26, 2011) – Today, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $4 million project to improve safety at the I-70 (Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway) and I-81 (Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway) interchange in Hagerstown, Washington County. 

SHA is constructing new acceleration and deceleration lanes at two ramp movements to provide a safer merge area at the interchange: the eastbound I-70 ramp to southbound I-81 and the southbound I-81 ramp to westbound I-70.  Crews will also resurface the ramps and apply new pavement markings as part of the work.  This is the second phase of improvements to the interchange.  In 2009, SHA built acceleration and deceleration lanes to the two other ramps at the interchange. 

 

The bridge on I-70 over Hopewell Road will be widened to accommodate new acceleration / deceleration lanes.  SHA will increase the clearance under the bridge by lowering Hopewell Road by approximately one foot.  To perform this work, crews closed Hopewell Road.  SHA expects to reopen the road by the end of the year, weather permitting. 

During construction motorists should be prepared for nighttime single lane and shoulder closures on eastbound and westbound I-70 Monday through Thursday between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m. and on Sunday morning between midnight and 11 a.m.  Lane closures should also be expected on I-81 overnight between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. SHA anticipates completing the entire project in late 2012.

For those traveling near Hopewell Road, SHA has established detours for the temporary closure.  Motorists north of the bridge will be detoured to Halfway Boulevard to southbound I-81 to southbound US 11 to Milestone Terrace back to Hopewell Road.  Those south of the bridge will be detoured to Milestone Terrace to northbound US 11 to northbound I-81 to Halfway Boulevard back to Hopewell Road.

The I-70 / I-81 interchange carries 55,000 vehicles per day.  SHA awarded the contract to Pessoa Construction, Inc. of Fairmount Heights.  Customers 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. 

SHA reminds motorists to plan ahead and check travel conditions by calling 511 or visiting www.MD511.org.  Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website.

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