I-70 sign
Speed Limit Reduced Within Work Zone; Citations Issued After 21-Day Warning Period
(March 17, 2023) – In an ongoing effort to improve work zone safety, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will begin use of the Maryland SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement system in the work zone for the I-70 (Eisenhower Memorial Highway) bridges project at Crystal Falls Drive in Washington County. After a 21-day warning period, Maryland State Police will authorize citations beginning April 9.
Beginning Monday, March 20, Maryland SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement system equipment will be placed eastbound within the work zone. After the warning period, by law, if the Maryland SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement system equipment records a vehicle traveling over the posted speed limit, a $40 fine may be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. Motorists are reminded that the speed limit through this work zone is 60 mph.
Crews will install a temporary bridge during replacement of the original bridges over Crystal Falls Drive. The eastbound direction will be replaced first, and the westbound bridge will be replaced once the eastbound span is complete. Setup of the temporary bridge may require a single-lane closure for a brief period, followed by a traffic shift from the current bridge to the temporary bridge. Drivers should expect minimal impact once the temporary bridge is in place. All work is expected to be completed by summer 2025, weather permitting.
This work is part of the agency’s commitment to system preservation of Maryland’s bridges and roadways. The State Highway Administration understands that work related to the bridge project may inconvenience some travelers and asks all motorists to please stay alert and be patient as you pass through the work zone.
The goal of Maryland SafeZones is to encourage a change in driver behavior and increase driver awareness of the impact of speed-related crashes in work zones. Maryland SafeZones supports State Highway, Maryland State Police and Maryland Transportation Authority Police in the statewide effort to improve work zone safety. For more information on the program, visit
https://safezones.maryland.gov.
Motorists in need may dial #77 on their mobile device for roadside assistance.
For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to
Project Portal. Visit our homepage at
roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to
md511.maryland.gov.