(June 28, 2011) – Next Tuesday, July 5 the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close MD 68 (Lappans Road) for approximately 45 days from MD 65 (Sharpsburg Pike) to US 40 Alternate (Old National Pike) in Washington County.  The temporary closure of MD 68 is necessary to facilitate construction on this narrow road.

SHA is partnering with the Washington County Department of Public Works on its work to rehabilitate a dam in Devil’s Backbone Park adjacent to MD 68.  Crews will also repair an approximately 400 foot section of MD 68 adjacent to Antietam Creek that has begun to erode. 

To stabilize the slope and prevent future erosion, SHA will construct a retaining wall made of stacked stone along the road.  Crews will also resurface travel lanes in the work area and install new guardrail.

SHA and Washington County advise motorists to use the following detours:

• Westbound MD 68 will be detoured onto eastbound US40 Alt, to westbound

MD 34, to northbound MD 65, and back to MD 68

• Eastbound MD 68 will be directed onto southbound MD 65, to eastbound MD 34, to westbound US 40 Alt. and back to MD 68.

SHA is contributing $500,000 to the project being performed by the county’s contractor C. William Hetzer, Inc. of Hagerstown.  SHA encourages motorists to stay alert in work zones and slow down. 

Customers who have questions about traffic operations on MD 68, MD 65, MD 34, or other State numbered routes in Washington County, may call SHA’s District 6 Office at 301-729-8400 or toll free at 1-800-760-7138.  Project information is also available at http://washco-md.net.

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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