The Maryland State Highway Administration is improving the driving surface of US 40 Alternate (Old National Pike) between Summerswood Drive and just west of Edgemont Road, a span of almost one mile, east of Middletown on the other side of Braddock Mountain. The project started this week and is expected to be complete by October, weather permitting.
The schedule is 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the week with single lane closures. The project starts with repairs on surface depressions followed by milling operations which remove the top layer of the driving surface. Crews will then install a new driving surface and pavement markings.
The contractor, Francis O. Day Company, Inc. based in Rockville, will use electronic message boards, signs, barrels and cones to alert motorists about the lane closure and work zone.
The project will also modify the pavement markings on westbound US 40 Alternate to merge the two lanes into one lane starting at South Clifton Road, a half mile earlier than the current merge location. The modification will help improve safety as motorists drive up Braddock Mountain heading west towards Middletown.