It will be closed for about a month.
Frederick, Md (KM). Thousands of motorists could find their commutes change a little bit next week. The Maryland State Highway Administration says it will close the southbound ramp from I-270 to northbound Route 85. on Monday night, April 22nd. “More than 115,000 motorists travel in this area each day. But at night, the travel volumes do go down. But this is going to be a 24-hour closure for seven days a week for about a month. So motorists should plan some extra drive time through that area,” says SHA spokesman Charlie Gischlar.
He says the closure is necessary so that crews can match ramp elevations within the interchange. When those ramp improvements are completed, crews will move to the next phase of the I-270/Md. 85 interchange reconstruction project. That will involve shifting the traffic to the new I-270 bridge over Route 85.
“This is all part of the $58-million project to reconstruct the interchange and replace those bridges, which is going to reduce congestion and improve safety,” says Gischlar.
Motorists who use Route 15 and I-70 will be detoured to eastbound Interstate 70 and exit at Route 85.
The ramp closure will begin on Monday evening, April 22nd at 10:00 PM. Gischlar says the ramp is expected to reopen before Memorial Day.
By Kevin McManus