U.S. 15 J-Turn illustration in Frederick County.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is preparing to enhance safety and ease daily congestion on U.S. 15 (Catoctin Mountain Highway) between south of Orndorff Road/St. Anthony Road and north of College Lane in Frederick County. The $5.5 million project will be complete fall 2020.

The project will widen the existing median of U.S. 15 to provide acceleration and deceleration lanes at the U.S.15/MD 76 (Motters Station Road) intersection. MDOT SHA will provide new J-turns at MD 76/St. Anthony Road, eliminating the left turn movement from westbound MD 76 and eastbound St. Anthony Road. Motorists will turn right and perform a U-turn at adjacent intersections, which also will be improved with acceleration and deceleration lanes. The new J-turns will significantly reduce angle crashes on U.S. 15 in this area.

Other work on the project includes constructing concrete medians and drainage improvements in the 1.6-mi. project limits. Crews also will upgrade signing along U.S. 15 in the project area.

Most of the work will take place behind concrete barrier after it is installed, but there may be occasional single lane closures for material and equipment deliveries.

MDOT SHA's contractor, Kibler Construction Inc. of Finksburg, Md., will use message boards, barrels and cones to guide motorists through the work zone during lane closures. Approximately 45,000 vehicles travel on U.S. 15 in this area each day.

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