(May 31, 2016) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will close the eastbound I-70 ramp (e​xit 35) to MD 66 (Mapleville Road) in Washington County on June 6 at 7 a.m.  The 10-week closure is necessary to reconstruct the ramp, which also crosses Beaver Creek.  The project will be complete by late summer, weather permitting.

Crews will replace the deteriorated concrete bridge deck (riding surface) of the bridge, remove and replace deteriorated steel beams; replace the walls of the bridge (parapets), repair concrete supports, clean and paint the structural steel, and pave the roadway.

To expedite the project, crews will close the ramp and provide a signed detour using the I-70/US 40 interchange. The detour route is eastbound US 40 to MD 66. The intersection at US 40 and MD 66 will be temporarily modified by adding a left-turn lane from eastbound US 40 to northbound MD 66.

More than 70,400 vehicles travel on I-70 at the MD 66 interchange each day so drivers should plan extra commute time.  SHA awarded the $1.8 million project to East Coast Bridge, LLC. of Nitro, WV.

Originally constructed in 1967, the bridge is safe for the traveling public, but the roadway surface is nearing the end of its useful service life. Repairing the bridge will improve safety and reduce future maintenance costs. This project is part of SHA’s bridge preservation and replacement program.

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. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands.

A complete listing of current roadway projects is included in e-Road Ready 2016, the online brochure. Maryland drivers can also know before they go by calling 511 or visiting www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and lane closures. Those who have questions about SHA projects in Washington County may call the SHA District 6 Office at 301-729-8400, toll-free at 1-800-760-7138 or send email to shadistrict6@sha.state.md.us.