SAFETY AND RESURFACING IMPROVEMENTS NEARLY COMPLETE FOR I-81 DRIVERS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

MDOT SHA Logo

MDOT SHA Logo

Projects Delivered Just in Time for Heavy Summer Travel Season

(July 3, 2017) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is adding the final touches to two major projects on I-81 in the area.  Both projects constructed an auxiliary lane to provide motorists with a greater merge area to allow those who are traveling between exits to avoid ever merging onto mainline I-81, as well as resurfacing and restriping I-81.
 
MDOT SHA constructed an auxiliary lane on southbound I-81 between MD 58 (Salem Avenue) and US 40 (National Pike) in Hagerstown.  Crews also resurfaced nearly eight miles of southbound I-81 between the Maryland/Pennsylvania line and Halfway Boulevard. 
 
In addition to widening southbound I-81 between MD 58 and US 40 to accommodate the longer merge lane, MDOT SHA constructed grass drainage swales in the center median for enhanced highway drainage.
 
Work remaining on the $6.3 million project includes installing raised pavement markers and rumble strips.  MDOT SHA’s contractor, New Enterprise Stone and Line Co. of New Enterprise Pa., expects this work to be complete by mid-July.
 
 
 
(MDOT SHA photoNorthbound I-81 at Halfway Boulevard and the new auxiliary lane and road surface.)
 
With an even larger improvement to the flow of traffic at the busy intersection of two interstate freeways, MDOT SHA is completing a similar project on a nearly 1.3-mile section of northbound I-81 between I-70 and Halfway Boulevard.  The contractor, C. William Hetzer, Inc. of Hagerstown, will stripe the roadway and add new roads signs on the $4.25 million project, which should also be complete mid-July, weather permitting.
 
“I am delighted that we were able to successfully deliver these projects on time and budget for thousands of drivers and truckers who use I-81 each day,” said MDOT SHA District Engineer Anthony Crawford.  “MDOT SHA thanks drivers for their patience construction for the past year.”
 
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 MDOT SHA’s seven engineering districts which cover Maryland’s 23 counties.
 
 
While MDOT 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.
 
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