(April 18, 2011) - The ride on MD 237 (Chancellor's Run Road) is about to become much smoother for nearly 16,000 motorists who use this route each day.  With favorable spring temperatures on the horizon, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will pave the final riding surface of the new dual highway.

Starting today, SHA will use extended paving hours to complete this work.  Paving operations began this morning and will extend to 5 p.m. as weather and work zone conditions permit.  All paving will be done weekdays at the MD 237 intersection with MD 235 (Three Notch Road).  SHA will close the right lane of MD 235 southbound at MD 237 so crews can work safely in the intersection before proceeding south on MD 237.

A single lane closure and flagging operation will be in place during paving operations.  SHA expects the entire paving operation, including turn lanes and intersection tie-ins, to take about four weeks, weather permitting. 

Final surface paving will be followed by line striping.  SHA is also converting construction sediment ponds to permanent stormwater management ponds and finishing landscape work and traffic signal adjustments.  The three-year project to dualize MD 237 should be complete by mid-summer.  SHA awarded the $36 million construction contract to Lane Construction of Meriden, CT. 

SHA reminds motorists to plan ahead and check travel conditions including live traffic cameras and lane closure updates at www.chart.maryland.gov.  Construction season is here with numerous active work zone sites that include major construction projects taking months to complete and mobile operations taking only minutes. 

While SHA and its transportation 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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