STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION IMPROVES MD 140 RAMPS TO MD 27 IN CARROLL COUNTY

	STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION IMPROVES MD 140 RAMPS TO MD 27 IN CARROLL COUNTY http://www.sha.state.md.us/pages/release.aspx?newsId=516 Temporary Ramp Closure Will Begin Later This Month For Construction of Dedicated Right-Turn Lane; Project Made Possible Through Stimulus Funding (October 27, 2009) – On Thursday, Oct. 29, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close the westbound MD 140 (Baltimore Boulevard) ramp to MD 27 (Manchester Road) in Westminster. The closure is a part of an overall American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funded $715,000 project to widen the eastbound and westbound ramps along MD 140 to MD 27 to provide a dedicated right-turn movement. The new right turn lane on the eastbound and westbound MD 140 ramps will provide congestion relief minimizing the current congestion onto MD 140 as motorists access MD 27. The ramp to eastbound MD 140 will not be closed as part of the project. SHA expects to complete the overall project in spring 2010. Crews will close the ramp beginning overnight on Oct. 29 Wednesday and the ramp will remain closed through mid-December. SHA is closing the ramp temporarily to facilitate construction as the slopes adjacent to the ramp do not provide adequate area for crews to work. During the closure, motorists traveling west on MD 140 will be detoured to Englar Road/Hahn Road to MD 27. Crews will use variable message signs and barrels will be placed in advance of the detour to alert motorists. More than 56,000 vehicles travel along this section of MD 140 each day. This project is made possible through Governor Martin O’Malley’s aggressive management of the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, bringing critically needed transportation investments to Maryland. Projects such as these are stimulating Maryland’s economy by supporting hundreds of jobs. Follow the delivery of these projects at www.recovery.maryland.gov, which tracks every category of ARRA spending and provides contract-level details to the public in an effort to achieve new levels of government transparency and efficiency. SHA awarded the contract to Pessoa Construction, Inc. Citizens who have questions about traffic operations on MD 140, MD 27, or other state numbered routes in Carroll County may call SHA’s District 7 Office at 301-624-8100 or toll free at 1-800-635-5119. SHA reminds motorists to reduce speeds, stay alert and use caution while driving through work zones. When workers are on the road, THINK ORANGE, which is the color of construction signs, barrels and warning devices. Please slow down, stay alert and expect the unexpected. Choose to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com. # # #

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