Project Completed on Schedule

(October 14, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) today opened a new roundabout at the MD 144 (West Washington Street) / Western Maryland Parkway intersection near Hagerstown, Washington County. MD 144 has been closed and traffic detoured since April.

“Roundabouts are a great way to accommodate traffic and reduce the severity and frequency of collisions. On average, new roundabouts have reduced 75 percent of injury collisions and completely eliminated fatalities,” said SHA District 6 Engineer Anthony Crawford. “As you first encounter the new traffic pattern, please use caution, stay alert and yield to vehicles in the roundabout when entering the circle.”

 

 

In addition to the significant safety benefits, roundabouts move a greater volume of traffic at intersections, without the expense of constructing and maintaining a traffic signal. MD 144 has an average daily traffic volume of nearly 5,000 vehicles per day. Click here for more information about navigating roundabouts.

The MD 144 and Western Maryland Parkway intersection previously had stop signs for traffic on Western Maryland Parkway.  The heavier volume of traffic on MD 144 caused delays for people crossing through the intersection. The roundabout will address traffic operations and safety concerns by moving traffic on both Western Maryland Parkway and MD 144.

The $1.6 million project opened to traffic this morning, Wednesday, October 14 on schedule. SHA’s contractor for the project was Craig Paving Inc. of Hagerstown.