(October 31, 2013) – Motorists on I-68 should be prepared for lane closures and changing traffic patterns in Cumberland next week as part of a State Highway Administration (SHA) project to rehabilitate the I-68 bridges over Kelly Boulevard and Patterson Avenue.

Crews are preparing to shift the eastbound lanes of I-68 as the project enters its second phase. Weather permitting, crews will complete this switch Tuesday, November 5 through Thursday, November 7. During this three-day-period, there will be only one lane on eastbound I-68. The lane closure is required to allow crews to move barrier walls and pave the bridge approaches. Motorists should also be prepared for periodic single-lane closures on westbound I-68 during this time period in order to safely move the barrier wall.

As part of the project, crews are replacing the decks (driving surfaces) of the bridges in three sections. During Phase 1, crews replaced the central section of the bridge decks with traffic lanes shifted to the outer edges of the bridges. During Phase 2, eastbound traffic will drive on the new surface in this central section while crews replace the deck of the current eastbound lanes. Late next spring, crews will shift traffic again to work on the westbound lanes. Weather permitting, the project will be complete in fall 2014.

SHA’s contractor for the $10 million project is Kokosing Construction Co., Inc. of South Charleston, W.Va. For more information about the project, visit http://www.bitly.com/kellypatterson.

While SHA and its 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 – 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!

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