STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION OPENS NEW PARTIAL ROUNDABOUT ON US 220 IN CUMBERLAND

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MDOT SHA Logo

(November 8, 2013) – Motorists in Cumberland have a new, convenient way to access eastbound I-68 thanks to the opening this afternoon of a new, partial roundabout on US 220 (Greene Street), the Maryland State Highway Administration announced.

The roundabout, which has been under construction since spring 2012, provides a safe way for southbound traffic on US 220 to get turned around to access the ramp to eastbound I-68. Before, this ramp was accessible only to northbound US 220 traffic.

“One of the goals of this project was to support mobility for drivers in the western end of the city by providing additional access to the interstate in a safe and efficient manner, and with the opening of the roundabout today, we have achieved that,” said SHA District Engineer Anthony Crawford. “We appreciate everyone’s patience throughout this project.”

Referred to as a “partial roundabout” or “U-About,” the new configuration functions similarly to a roundabout. Drivers approaching from the I-68 exit ramp or from northbound US 220 should yield to traffic already in the circle. However, unlike most roundabouts, it is not a complete circle; southbound traffic may travel around the circle to head north, but northbound traffic will not be able to use the circle to go south. SHA engineers will continue to monitor traffic operations at the partial roundabout.
 
The exit ramp from eastbound I-68 to US 220, which has been closed for several months, will reopen Tuesday morning, November 12. The $3.7 million construction project also included lengthening the merge area for motorists traveling from the US 220 ramp onto eastbound I-68 and replacing the concrete pavement on US 220 with new, full-depth asphalt. Remaining work for the project includes some landscaping and sign installation work. SHA’s contractor for the project is IA Construction Corporation of Cumberland. 

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