Ramp from I-81 to I-70 to be closed

April 13, 2009

o Reader suggests another detour

Beginning Tuesday morning, the Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close the ramp from southbound I-81, known as Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway, to eastbound I-70, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, at the I-70/I-81 interchange in Hagerstown.

The ramp will reopen on Wednesday, May 20, prior to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, SHA said in an e-mailed release.

The work is part of a $3.4 million project to improve safety at the I-70/I-81 interchange, the release says.

The closure is necessary to facilitate construction as crews improve the bank elevation of the curve to enhance safety along the ramp, according to the SHA.

The I-70/I-81 interchange carries 55,000 vehicles per day, 34 percent of which is truck traffic, the SHA says.

During the ramp closure, motorists wishing to access eastbound I-70 from southbound I-81 will be detoured to the exit for U.S. 11 (Virginia Avenue). The detour will take motorists to northbound I-81, then back to eastbound I-70, the SHA says.

As part of the detour, SHA will close one lane in each direction of U.S. 11 at the interchange, which will provide a safer transition from U.S. 11 to the ramp for I-81 North, according to the SHA.

SHA awarded the contract to C. William Hetzer Inc. of Hagerstown.

Those who have questions about traffic operations along I-70, I-81, 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.

View I-81 ramp to I-70 to be closed in a larger map

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