Motorists who speed through the workzone could face penalties.
It would be a good idea to slow down when approaching the Route 15 and Motter Avenue workzone in Frederick. The State Highway Administration says it has set up speed camera enforcement in that area, and is using some very sophisticated technology to record any motorist who goes over the speed limit. "It actually uses a combination of laser technology and photography to document speeders going this area," says SHA spokeswoman Heather Keels.
This highway work area has been added to the Maryland SafeZones program. There are two other highway work areas in Frederick County that area part of the SafeZones program. They are located along I-270, and I-70 near South Street.
The Route 15 and Motter Avenue project consists of replacing the Motter Avenue bridge over Route 15. SHA says the new span will be wider, and more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Other parts of this project include widening Motter Avenue and Opposumtown Pike, and modifying the exit from northbound Route 15 to Motter Avenue. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2014, weather permitting, says SHA.
The speed camera enforcement begins on Tuesday, and will continue until the roadwork is completed. For the first three weeks, SHA says motorists who speed through the workzone will be sent a warning letter. But starting on October 2nd, offending drivers will be sent a $40 civil citation. "The idea behind this program is to encourage people to slow down so that won't happen," Keels says.
She says signs have been erected near the workzone, reminding motorists to slow down. "We also will have a radar-equipped sign that will display your speed, along with the posted speed limit which is 55-miles per hour> So you can take note of that and slow down if you need to," says Keels.
SHA says the SafeZones program helped bring about a 10-year low in workzone related crashes, fatalities and injuries in 2011. Before the program was first introduced in 2010, SHA says seven out of every 100 drivers were exceeding the speed limit in work zones by about 12 miles per hour or more. It's now down to two out of every 100 drivers exceeding the speed limit in workzones, according to SHA.
