A ribbon cutting was held on Monday afternoon.
Ribbon cutting on I-270/Rt. 85 interchange project. (Photo from MDOT SHA.)
Frederick, Md (KM) A major road project in Frederick County has been completed.
The reconstruction and expansion of the Interstate 270 and Route 85 interchange, which began in 2017, involved the replacement of two poorly rated bridges built in 1950 which took I-270 traffic over Route 85 (Buckeystown Pike) with a new, single, three-span structure. Frederick County contributed $1.5-million for the project, according to a news release from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration.
Part of the project included the construction of two additional lanes in both directions along Route 85 from Spectrum Drive to just north of Crestwood Boulevard.
A ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the $93-miillion project was held on Monday afternoon. It was attended by Jim Ports, the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation. “It’s going to really help traffic roll through this area,” he says. “There’s about 90,000 vehicles that go through this area now, projected to be about 130,000 by 2030. This project was absolutely needed.”
The project also has a new median on Route 85 to separate north and southbound traffic, new sidewalks which are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, new bicycle lanes, wider ramps to and from northbound and southbound I-270, and new storm water structures and pipes to improve drainage.
During the construction, traffic was allowed to travel through this area, and many motorists wondered how long it would take to complete this project. “A lot of times we could only work at night. It does create a situation where it takes a little longer than most people would like,” says Ports.
Now that this project is completed, Ports say the state will soon start working on Route 15 in Frederick. The highway will be widened by one lane in each direction between I-70 and Route 26.
By Kevin McManus