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Innovative Process Can Help Reduce Hydroplaning in Adverse Weather; First Week of Overnight Work Includes Flagging Operations
(May 12, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will begin work Sunday night, May 14, to apply an innovative “friction surface” treatment on five roadways in northern Baltimore County designed to improve pavement friction and help reduce truck and tractor trailer crashes. The work will conclude by May 18, weather permitting.
The treatment involves use of specialized equipment to propel steel spheres directly at the pavement surface at a high velocity. The impact of the spheres creates a random surface texture that enhances friction and surface drainage. These treatments make it easier for vehicles to stop and reduce the likelihood of hydroplaning in adverse weather conditions.
The work will be performed overnight. Maryland State Police will escort the specialized equipment as it moves slowly through the work locations. Temporary lane closures and flagging operations will begin each night at 9 p.m. and end by 5 a.m. the following morning at these locations, in order:
Week of Sunday, May 14-Thursday, May 18
- MD 125 (Old Court Road) between east of the CSX rail crossing and St. Paul Avenue,
- MD 144 (Frederick Road) between Stonewall Road and Thistle Road,
- MD 130 (Greenspring Valley Road) between east of Villa Julie College Road and west of Greenspring Avenue,
- MD 130 (Greenspring Valley Road) near Old Valley Road,
- MD 45 (York Road) between south of the Gunpowder Falls and the I-83 overpass,
- MD 137 (Mt. Carmel Road) near Miller Lane, and
- MD 137 (Mt. Carmel Road) between Prettyboy Dam Road and Bush Cabin Court.
This work is the first week of a State Highway Administration project to improve ride quality and safety of pavements at a total of 48 locations – a total of 32 miles – along state highways in Baltimore County. The overall work will be completed by late June.
The State Highway Administration has previously applied this technique along areas of I-495 (Capital Beltway). The contractor for the project is Skidabrader, a California company that’s one of the few firms in the United States performing this technique.
Customers with questions about this work or other projects on state-maintained roads in Baltimore County may call the State Highway Administration District 4 Office - Construction Division at 410-229-2300 or toll-free at 1-866-998-0367.
The State Highway Administration understands roadwork can be an inconvenience for some motorists and asks travelers to plan for extra travel time, stay alert and be patient as you pass through the work zones.