US 220 @ I-68 Geometric Improvements Project # AL419 Update

1. US 220 @ I-68 Geometric ImprovementsProject # AL419 Update Stephen A. Bucy Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA)

2. Overview • Project Background • Current Project • Schedule • Questions

3. Project Background • Issue: Safety Concerns with Undersized Merge Area onto EB I-68 from combined NB US 220 and Fletcher Dr high-speed ramp • NB US 220 and Fletcher Dr Ramps are < 1,000 ft apart • Curbed grass separation adjacent to I-68 required to combine the merge area for both ramps Safety Issues with Small Merge Area Fletcher Dr Ramp US 220 NB Ramp

4. Project Background • Issue: Direct access from SB US 220/Greene St to EB I-68 is NOT provided at the interchange • Traffic must take a circuitous route on local residential streets to get to the Fletcher Dr Ramp No Left Turn Ramp to EB I-68

5. Project Background • 2006: Determined the Way Ahead • Change the Fletcher Dr ramp to restricted access • Eliminate a section of the grass median, which allows the ramp merge area to be extended significantly • Provide direct access from SB US 220/Greene St to EB I-68 at the interchange • 2007: SHA initiated a engineering concept study • 2008: Final report came in with 2 primary interchange alternatives • 1: Roundabout • 2: Left/U-Turn Lane (Included Signal) • 2008: Roundabout Alternative was chosen • SHA initiated a design contract • SHA Roundabout Design Team made improvement recommendations

6. Project Background • 2008: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Concurs • 2009: Project design progress temporarily halted due to statewide funding issues • 2010: Concrete interchange area transferred from City to SHA • 2010: Project design funding restored • Final Design Review Meeting in Dec 2010 • Project to include full depth pavement to replace concrete pavement through interchange • Project to include paving below the interchange to a point near the Industrial Park entrance • 2010: Project construction funding secured • 2011: Project design completed

7. Current Project • Extended Merge Area • Large section of grass median eliminated • Allows the ramp merge area to be extended significantly New End of Curb Grass Median Eliminated New Gate

8. Current Project • Roundabout  “U-About” Concept at the interchange

9. Current Project • Project Benefits: • Addressed the safety issues at the EB I-68 Exit 42 on-ramp • Remove large section of grass median  Extends merge/acceleration area • Better operation of the merge • Reduces back-ups on ramp that are currently observed during peak periods • Removes the conflict point between Fletcher Dr ramp movement and the US 220 ramp • Provides access from SB US 220/Greene St to EB I-68 at the interchange • Simplifies access to the Interstate • Provides access for all types of vehicles at Exit 42 from West Side • Reduces traffic on local residential streets (Fayette, Gephart, and Fletcher)

10. Current Project • Project Benefits: • Full depth replacement of all the problematic concrete pavement • Pavement job extends south to a point near the Industrial Park • Interchange lighting upgrades • Drainage improvements • Signage upgrades • Traffic Calming

11. Current Project • Project Questions: • Will emergency vehicles and/or the Armory have access to the old ramp? • Yes • The gate will be padlocked and applicable emergency services organizations as well as the Armory personnel will be issued keys for emergency use New Gate

12. Current Project • Project Questions: • Will there be any problems accessing the City Pump Station? • No • The gate will be located below the pump station entrance, so there will be no access issues New Gate

13. Current Project • Project Questions: • Will residents in Fletcher Dr area have access to the old ramp? • No • The old ramp will be closed to public access • Do Not Enter and “For Use of Authorized and Emergency Use Vehicles Only” signs will be installed • Residents will have to travel to one of the other EB I-68 on-ramps • Note: This also means less overall traffic on the local residential streets New Gate

14. Current Project • Project Questions: • Why is the “Passing lane” on NB US 220 before the interchange being eliminated? • The second lane was never a “Passing lane,” but the start of the divide where one lane would go to EB I-68 and the other to WB I-68 • Today’s tractor trailers have sufficient power to compare with the climbing power of passenger vehicles • Note: There will still be a separate left turn lane into the Park & Ride facility

15. Current Project • Project Questions: • Was consideration given to NB US 220 vehicles having to yield on an upgrade? • Yes • There may be slight back-ups during peak traffic periods of the day • The yield scenario is preferred over coming to a complete stop, many times unnecessarily, at a traffic signal • How does this project relate to the future US 220 Corridor? • The 2 issues are independent • This project meets an immediate need & is managed by SHA’s District 6 office in LaVale • City officials and local SHA staff were recently updated on the status of the US 220 Corridor Tier One Planning Study, led by the state of West Virginia • Although there is progress on the US 220 Corridor, there is still much work to be done

16. Current Project • Project Questions: • Why are we installing another roundabout? • Addressed the left turn at a severe angle that previously could not be navigated • The engineering study showed that a roundabout offered a better level of service than a signal at this specific location • Other advantages: • Improves intersection safety • Keeps traffic moving • Reduces unnecessary stops • Reduces air pollution • Minimal maintenance required after construction

17. Project Schedule • Spring 2011: Project goes out for bid • Summer 2011: Project will be awarded • Fall 2011: Site preparation work to begin • 2012: Majority of construction activity will occur • “U-About” opened • Fletcher Dr ramp changed to restricted access only

18. Other Questions?