(August 6, 2012) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) advises motorists in Garrett County that US 40 Alternate (National Pike) will be closed between US 40 at Keysers Ridge and the western limits of Grantsville near Springs Road beginning Monday, August 13. The road will reopen before August 27, the day Garrett County schools reopen.

The closure is part of a $2.2 million safety and resurfacing project on US 40 Alternate and will allow crews to replace a drainage pipe that crosses the road about 50 feet east of Spring Valley Farm Lane. The pipe replacement and patching will be completed during the closure, but paving work will continue this fall using flaggers to alternate traffic on US 40 Alternate. If necessary, the final surface of asphalt will be placed next spring.

During the approximately two-week closure, traffic will be detoured onto I-68 (National Freeway). Eastbound traffic will be directed onto eastbound I-68 in Keysers Ridge to exit 19 to MD 495 (Bittinger Road) in Grantsville, making a left at the end of the ramp and continuing north to US 40 Alternate. Westbound traffic will be diverted south on MD 495 in Grantsville, then onto westbound I-68, to exit 14B onto northbound US 40 to return to US 40 Alternate. (Please see attached map.)

Accommodations will be made for residents living within the closure area as well as for bicycles and buggy traffic to continue through the work zone, as they cannot travel on the Interstate. Those using this route should proceed with caution and expect possible delays.

SHA’s contractor for the project is Keystone Lime Company Inc. of Springs, Pa. Anyone with questions about the project may contact SHA’s District 6 Office at 301-729-8400 or toll-free at 800-760-7138.

While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.

Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information! Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 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 prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

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