The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will close a portion of US Route 40 next week to install bridge beams on the new expanded US Route 219.

 

Beginning on Monday, February 17, 2020, US Route 40 between US Route 219 North and Interstate 68 Exit 24 (Lower New Germany Road) will be closed for the work. The Garrett County Department Solid Waste and Recycling site along US Route 40 will remain accessible. The closures will be in place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, February 21, 2020.

 

Motorists heading westbound on U.S. 40A should take I-68:

 

• Motorists will be directed to take I-68 westbound at Lower New Germany Road to Exit 22

• Turn right off Exit 22 onto U.S. 219 north/Chestnut Ridge Road to the light, and

• Take a left at the light onto U.S. 40A westbound.

Motorists heading eastbound on U.S. 40A should take I-68 eastbound at U.S. 219 north/Chestnut Ridge Road:

• Motorists will be directed to take I-68 eastbound at U.S. 219/ Chestnut Ridge Road to Exit 24,

• Turn left off Exit 24 onto Lower New Germany Road, and

• Take a right at the stop sign onto U.S. 40A eastbound.

 

This detour is part of a $44.7 million project to transform U.S. 219 into a four-lane divided highway from I-68 to Old Salisbury Road. The project is expected to be complete by late fall 2020.

 

“MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our contractor,” said a spokesperson. “Drivers need to stay alert, focus on the road and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Drive like you work here and slowdown in construction zones.”

 

For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto md511.maryland.gov.