Initial Phase of Work Includes Temporary Closure of Irwin Trail Access Starting Monday, February 8th
(February 1, 2016) – Work has begun for a major roadway construction project to benefit area motorists in Ellicott City. The Howard County Department of Public Works and the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) are adding capacity and enhancing safety at the intersection of US 40 (Baltimore National Pike) and Rogers Avenue.
The $3.6 million project, funded by Howard County ($3.2 million) and SHA ($400,000), will reduce congestion at this busy intersection that serves 40,782 vehicles each day. Improvements include:
• Constructing an additional left turn lane on US 40 eastbound to Rogers Avenue northbound and an additional left turn lane on US 40 westbound to Rogers Avenue southbound, thereby creating double left turn lanes on US 40 in each direction.
• Widening the Rogers Avenue southbound approach to US 40 for a separate right turn lane, a shared through and left turn lane, and a second left turn lane.
• Widening Rogers Avenue northbound lanes from US 40 to accept the two left turn lanes from US 40 eastbound.
The upgraded traffic signal at the intersection will include pedestrian crosswalks, push buttons and countdown signals. It also will be equipped with a battery backup system that allows operations to continue for up to 10 hours without electrical power.
The first phase of work includes widening Rogers Avenue north of US 40. Crews will place a concrete barrier wall along southbound Rogers Avenue and are preparing to install the underground stormwater management system along southbound Rogers Avenue.
To support this work, crews will temporarily close Irwin Trail on Monday, February 8; the trail runs parallel to US 40 to the north. Area residents will be able to access US 40 via Kaiser Drive, Ridge Road and Executive Center Road. The closure will extend through spring 2016.
The overall project includes resurfacing along Rogers Avenue north of US 40 and all legs of the intersection. Crews also will install concrete sidewalk, median guardrail, new pavement markings and roadway signing.
Temporary lane closures and lane shifts are scheduled during construction hours, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Weather permitting, the project is scheduled for completion by late fall 2016.
Howard County and SHA’s contractor for this project is P. Flanigan & Sons, Inc. of Baltimore. Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling through the work zone and to remain alert for work crews.
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