The roadway will be widened, new bridge to be constructed.
Frederick, Md (KM) Work on widening Route 180 (Jefferson Pike) between Swallowtail Drive and the ramp to Interstate 70 is expected to begin this week. State Highway Administration spokesman Charlie Gischlar says crews will widen that stretch of Route 180 from two lanes to four lanes.
Due to the growth in that area, he says this project is expected o ease traffic congestion, especially near Solarex Court. “People that work and reside in that area won’t be sitting in traffic so much. They’ll be able to move in that one-mile stretch that historically, typically during the two rush hours backs up,” Gischlar says. “Whenever you take away the congestion aspect, you automatically improve safety. So that’s also a great thing there.”
The work will also include the construction of a second Route 180 bridge over Routes 15 and 340. “The existing bridge will carry two lanes in one direction, and the new bridge will carry two lanes in the other direction,” says Gischlar. “We’re not having to tear down a bridge. That existing bridge is in pretty good shape. We’re going to build a parallel structure to it.”
Other features include a bicycle lane; ADA compliance sidewalks and ramps; and a second left-hand turn lane on eastbound Route 180 to Solrex Court. There will also be a new Route 180 median east of Himes Avenue, according to SHA in a project newsletter sent to residents and businesses in the area.
During construction, SHA says traffic lanes along Route 15 underneath the Route 180 bridge will shifted, and a concrete barrier wall will be placed on Route 15 so that crews can be safe when working on the project.
On Route 180, both directions of travel will be maintained during construction, according to SHA. Concrete barrier walls and traffic barrels will be put in place to protect the work zone. There are expected to be closures throughout the project as needed. . The agency says it will post signs and issue traffic alerts to notify motorists of any closures in that area.
“Overnight this week, there might be some occasional overnight lane closures from 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM the following morning as we set the concrete barriers to work behind,” says Gischlar.
The work is expected to be completed by the summer of 2021 at a cost or more than $16.7-million, including $13.6-million for construction.
SHA says about 27,000 motorists travel that stretch of Route 180 each day.
For project details, go to the SHA website at www.road.maryland.gov,and click on projects.
By Kevin McManus