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Innovative Process Can Help Reduce Hydroplaning in Adverse Weather; Second Week of Overnight Work Includes Flagging Operations
(May 19, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is continuing the application of an innovative “friction surface” treatment on roadways in northern Baltimore County, and will begin work on the next set of roadways Sunday, May 21. The application is designed to improve pavement friction and help reduce truck and tractor trailer crashes. Weather permitting, the overnight work will be conducted 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning, Sunday through Thursday.
Crews will 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.
Maryland State Police will escort the specialized equipment as it moves slowly through the work locations. Overnight temporary lane closures and flagging operations may be in effect during work hours at the following locations, in order:
Week of Sunday, May 21 – Thursday, May 25:
- MD 88 (Black Rock Road) from just west of Ridge Road to the 3900 block of MD 88;
- MD 88 from Trenton Road to the area just west of Ridge Road;
- MD 25 (Falls Road) from just north of Walnut Way to just south of Gunpowder Road;
- MD 25 from 18100 block to 18200 block; and
- MD 25 from the area north of Butler Road (MD 128) to 15200 block of MD 25.
This work is the second 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 within Baltimore County. The overall work will be completed by late June.
Contractor Skidabrader previously applied this technique along areas of I-495 (Capital Beltway). The California company is one of the few firms in the country 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.
For a list of all major State Highway Administration projects, go to
Project Portal, or visit the homepage at roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to
md511.maryland.gov.