A long-awaited design-build project has finally begun near Grantsville, Md. The MDOT SHA project involves the realignment of U.S. Route 219 between I-68 and Old Salisbury Road.
A long-awaited design-build project has finally begun near Grantsville, Md., which is in Garrett County, the western-most part of the state. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) project involves the realignment of U.S. Route 219 (Chestnut Ridge Road) between I-68 (National Freeway) and Old Salisbury Road.
According to Charlie Gischlar, MDOT SHA media relations manager, the four-lane divided highway project is 1.5 mi. (six lane miles plus shoulder) in length and is very complex involving many phases of construction under traffic at the I-68 interchange.
The contract was awarded to Triton Construction Inc. of St. Albans, W. Va.
The total cost of the project is $61.5 million, which comes from a mix of state and federal dollars, including Appalachian Development Highway System Funds. Totals included $1.2 million for planning; $5 million for design; $3.8 million for right-of-way; and $51.5 million for construction.
Notice to proceed was given on Jan. 25, 2018, and the project groundbreaking was held on Oct. 13, 2018. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's administration announced the official start of the project, stating that it had been "a top Garrett County transportation priority for decades."
Project completion is planned for summer 2021.
"The construction of this new four-lane divided highway not only requires major excavation work, but also reconstruction of the I-68/ U.S. 219 relocated (the new road) interchange," Gischlar said. "This reconstruction of the I-68 includes constructing two roundabouts, one on each side of I-68 and building a new bridge that will span U.S. 40 alternate (National Pike). Additional work includes improving a section of U.S. 40 alternate in the area where the new bridge will be constructed. U.S. 219 relocated will then tie back into existing U.S. 219, which will be re-designated as Business U.S. 219."
Other work in the contract includes resurfacing and restriping the I-68 interchange U.S. 40 Alternate at U.S. 219 and existing U.S. 219 at the tie-in point at Old Salisbury Road; several major storm water management facilities and underground drainage systems; environmental controls in accordance with the NEPA document including large-scale reforestation, wetland creation and restoration; installation of LED highway lighting systems, including underground electrical infrastructure at key areas, such as the reconstructed I-68 interchange; and overhead highway sign installation.
"The only real challenge with this project is the weather in Garrett County," said MDOT SHA District Engineer Anthony Crawford. "Winter weather tends to linger in the higher elevations of Western Maryland."
The project will separate through truck traffic from local traffic. The U.S. 219 Realignment will also support proposed economic development and growth in the region. The new four-lane highway will include a median, two roundabouts and turn lanes connecting to U.S. 219 Business.
Currently, the roadway reportedly carries 4,400 vehicles each day. This number is expected to increase to 5,500 vehicles a day by 2040.
According to MD SHA, the project will improve safety and operations and reduce congestion for local and through truck traffic. The new U.S. 219 will enhance safety and reduce travel time between Maryland and Pennsylvania.
As of the beginning of April, MDOT SHA reported that the project was about 22 percent complete. Contractor crews had completed clearing and most grubbing. They were actively excavating for storm water management ponds and other highway drainage systems. In June, crews will begin working on the new bridge that will carry U.S. 219 over U.S. 40.
"This project is another piece supporting the Appalachian Highway Development System [AHDS], which is part of the Federal Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965," Gischlar said. "This act of Congress was enacted to provide safe growth opportunities for residents of Appalachia."
He noted that Pennsylvania recently opened an 11-mi. section of U.S. 219 (part of Corridor N).
"This section of U.S. 219 between I-68 [National Highway] and Old Salisbury Road is an opportunity for connectivity between states," he said.
Equipment used on the project includes graders, Bobcats, excavators, loaders, a log truck, a log skidder, Gradalls, a bunch loader, cranes, a tree feller, pavers, rollers, a bridge screed, pile drivers, generators, jackhammers, various pneumatic equipment and air compressors.
Major subcontractors for the project include DRM Associates, Strongstown's B & K Enterprises, Midlantic Marking Inc., Rommel Infrastructure Inc., RNG Construction Inc., Penn Line Service Inc., Keystone Lime Company Inc. and The U Company LLC.
In July 2016, the MDOT SHA and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), completed the U.S. 219 I-68, MD to Myersville Pa., Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study. During the study, the project team identified this stand-alone project in Garrett County. It was broken out from a larger study to upgrade and/or relocate U.S. 219 from I-68/U.S. 40 to the Pennsylvania state line.
CEG
Brenda Ruggiero
Brenda Ruggiero has written for CEG for over 20 years. She lives near the town of Accident in far western Maryland. Her favorite assignments so far involved interviews with Survivor’s Boston Rob and hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut. Both were involved in construction at one time.
Brenda holds a BA in Mass Communication with a writing focus from Frostburg State University and minors in Public Relations and Political Science. She works full time as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper, the Garrett County Republican. She enjoys feature writing the most, which gives her the opportunity to talk to people and share their stories.
Brenda and her middle school sweetheart, Reuben, have been married for over 34 years and have three grown children and four cats.
Read more from Brenda Ruggiero here.
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