SHA TO OPEN NEW EMERGENCY CROSSOVER ON US 340 AT KEEP TRYST ROAD IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

MDOT SHA Logo

MDOT SHA Logo

(November 21, 2013) – A new emergency crossover will open soon on US 340 at Keep Tryst Road in Washington County, and additional improvements are under design to improve safety and traffic flow, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) announced.

“This project was requested by the local community and evolved in response to community feedback,” SHA District Engineer Tony Crawford said. “We listened to what local residents and emergency responders had to say at our community meeting in September and are confident these improvements will enhance safety along the corridor.”

The new crossover, set to open within the next few weeks, will allow emergency vehicles only to make left turns and U-turns from westbound US 340 at the east end of Keep Tryst Road, east of MD 67 (Rohrersville Road). “Authorized vehicles only” signs will be posted at the crossover. Posts will prevent use of the crossover to turn left from Keep Tryst Road or U-turn from eastbound onto westbound US 340.

Concerns about US 340 traffic using Keep Tryst Road as a shortcut, the safety of left turns at that location, and resistance to narrowing eastbound traffic to a single lane beyond MD 67 contributed to the decision to allow emergency access only at the new crossover.

Since June, the left lane of eastbound US 340 had been closed in the project area due to construction of the crossover. Crews removed the drums on eastbound US 340 and reopened that lane today.

In response to comments at the public meeting, SHA is also designing additional lane marking changes for US 340 that will improve safety at the intersection of US 340 with Valley Road. Restriping for these changes is planned for the 2014 construction season.

Under the new configuration, the left lane of eastbound US 340 will be an acceleration lane for traffic turning left from Valley Road onto US 340. This will result in a single through-lane design on eastbound US 340 until MD 67. In the area of the MD 67 ramps, US 340 will become a two-lane design where the lane for traffic entering from MD 67 will become the highway’s second eastbound through lane. In addition to the eastbound changes, the deceleration lane from westbound US 340 to Valley Road will be extended 200 to 300 feet. 

“We thank motorists for their patience and appreciate the input from the community,” Crawford said.

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