(July 30, 2014) – This weekend, MD 66 (Mapleville Road) will be closed south of US 40 (National Pike) in Washington County and a detour will be in place as part of a Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) safety and drainage improvement project.

The $1.3 million project will improve safety on a sharp curve in the road on MD 66, north of Benevola Church Road in San Mar. The project also includes replacing a stormwater pipe culvert that runs under the road near the curve. The closure will allow crews to install the new pipe. Weather permitting, the overall project will be complete by September.

The closure and detour will begin Saturday, August 2, at 5 a.m. and the road will reopen by Sunday evening, August 3. Another weekend closure with detour will be necessary later in the project for paving.

During the closures, traffic will be detoured as follows:

To go south on MD 66: Take US 40 (National Pike) west, pass over I-70, and make a left on Edgewood Drive. At the traffic signal in Funkstown, continue straight onto eastbound US 40 Alternate (Frederick Road/Old National Pike) and back to MD 66.

To go north on MD 66: Take US 40 Alternate (Old National Pike/Frederick Road) west. At the traffic signal in  Funkstown, continue straight onto Edgewood Drive, then turn right onto eastbound US 40 (National Pike) and continue past I-70 to return to MD 66.

 
Construction on the project began earlier this summer. SHA is widening MD 66 to decrease the sharpness of the curve and will create a hashed separation area between northbound and southbound traffic in the area of the curve.  SHA is also repaving the section for a better bank in the curve and applying a high-friction surface treatment on the pavement to increase traction and prevent run-off-the-road crashes. SHA’s contractor for the project is C. William Hetzer Inc. of Hagerstown.

 
Photo Caption: A project is underway to improve safety on this curve on MD 66 (Mapleville Road). SHA is widening MD 66 to decrease the sharpness of the curve and will create a hashed separation area between northbound and southbound traffic. (Photo taken July 24, 2014)

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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