Project Includes Additional Capacity for MD 180 and New Bridge Over US 15

(September 20, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is beginning work on the project to enhance safety and add capacity on more than a half-mile segment of MD 180 (Jefferson Pike) in Frederick County. The $17 million project, between Solarex Court and Swallowtail Drive, is expected to be complete in summer 2021 and will help alleviate traffic congestion in this growing area, especially during peak drive times.

“Our administration remains committed to transportation solutions that not only improve safety and reduce congestion for residents and commuters, but also help keep Maryland businesses thriving,” said Governor Larry Hogan.

About 27,000 motorists travel through this section of MD 180 every day. The project will increase capacity on MD 180, upgrading the two-lane highway to four lanes. As part of the project, crews will construct a new bridge along MD 180 over US 15 (Catoctin Mountain Highway) to carry the additional lanes. Other features include a new, second left turn from MD 180 to Solarex Court, as well as a designated bike lane.

“This project will provide much needed congestion-relief on MD 180 in this thriving area of Frederick County, which has seen tremendous growth in recent years and has more underway,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Gregory Slater. “We look forward to delivering this project for the tens of thousands of motorists who use MD 180 each day.”

Much of the project will take place behind concrete barriers, but there will be occasional off-peak single lane closures with a flagging operation between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be nighttime closures on US 15 as crews construct the second bridge. Drivers on US 15 can expect occasional single-lane closures and brief stoppages. Motorists are encouraged to provide additional commuting time during the project. The MDOT SHA contractor for the MD 180 project is Concrete General Inc. of Gaithersburg.

MDOT SHA works to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for crews as well as contractors. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on the road and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Motorists are asked to “drive like you work here,” and slow down in construction zones.

For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, click on Road Ready, MDOT SHA's electronic construction brochure. For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto md511.maryland.gov.

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