Motorists Should Expect Delays; Slow Down and Stay Alert

(June 22, 2017) – In early July, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is gearing up on two important road projects on MD 26 in Frederick County.  Crews are preparing to begin a $1.2 million pedestrian safety project in Libertytown on MD 26 (Liberty Road) between West South Street and MD 31 (New Windsor Road). Weather permitting, the more than one mile project will be complete late fall. 

MDOT SHA’s contractor CJ Miller, Inc. of Hampstead, will add raised concrete medians, American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk ramps, pedestrian signals at the intersection of MD 26 and MD 75 and add a pedestrian crossing at Libertytown Park. After all pedestrian modifications are made, crews will resurface the roadway and add new pavement markings. Crews will work Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will use a flagging operation to guide motorists through the work zone.  Approximately 8,900 vehicles use this portion of MD 26 each day so motorists should allow extra travel time during work hours.

Crews are also preparing to resurface MD 26 (Liberty Road) between US 15 and MD 194 (Woodsboro Pike) in Frederick County.  Weather permitting, the $2.7 million project will also be complete late fall.

MDOT SHA will patch, grind (remove the top layer of asphalt), pave and restripe more than 2.4 miles of MD 26.  Crews will also repair or upgrade guardrail within the project limits.  Most of the project will occur at night, Sundays through Thursdays between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. MDOT SHA’s contractor CJ Miller, Inc. of Hampstead, is permitted to close one lane during construction hours. This section of MD 26 was last resurfaced in 1998.

Crews will use barrels, dynamic message signs and arrow boards to guide motorists through the work zone. Approximately 39,000 vehicles use this section of MD 26 each day so motorists should plan extra travel time during project work hours.

The e-Road Ready 2017 electronic construction brochure is now available by clicking here.  The e-brochure highlights major road construction and maintenance projects in each of Maryland’s 23 counties.

While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver need to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands.

Maryland drivers can also Know Before They Go! by calling 511 or visiting www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and lane closures.