(July 31, 2014) – Motorists in Hagerstown should be prepared for delays on US 40 (West Franklin Street and Washington Avenue/West Washington Street) beginning Monday, August 4, as the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) completes a resurfacing project between Nottingham Road and Walnut Street.
“This project is going to be a big improvement to the western gateway to downtown Hagerstown, but while the work is underway we do expect some heavy traffic delays,” SHA District Engineer Anthony Crawford said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and advise motorists to allow extra time or consider alternate routes if they are traveling through the area during work hours over the next month.”
On weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., crews will work between Nottingham Road and High Street, and on weeknights between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., crews will work between High Street and Walnut Street. Parking will be prohibited in the work area between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The work will begin on Washington Avenue/West Washington Street then move to West Franklin Street. Work will continue Mondays through Fridays for four to five weeks and will be complete in early September, weather permitting.
The project will include patching, grinding (removing the top layer of pavement), paving, and restriping the roads. The project will also introduce some changes in lane configurations. It will add a designated right-turn lane on West Washington Street at Walnut Street. Also, on West Franklin Street and Washington Avenue between Nottingham Road and Winter Street, the left lane will be marked as left-turn-only at each intersection. The change was requested by the City of Hagerstown and is meant to improve safety by reducing chances of rear-end collisions between through traffic and turning vehicles.
The work will be completed by C. William Hetzer, Inc. of Hagerstown as part of SHA’s $5 million areawide paving contract for Washington County.
Resurfacing on Washington and Franklin streets between Walnut Street and Crest View Road is planned for a future construction season and will be coordinated with a crosswalk improvement project in that area.
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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