Work To Begin On US 340 Ramps In Frederick County

Md. SHA says crews will be extending the length of these ramps.Frederick, Md (KM) The Maryland State Highway Administration says work will begin soon on the ramps along US 340 in the Brunswick area.   Officials say the work will involve extending the acceleration ramps along US  340 at Md 17, Md/ 180 and northbound US  15.”The Brunswick area has seen tremendous growth since these US 340 ramps were first built  60 years ago,” says Andrew Ratcliffe,,Jr.,  District Engineer for District 7 which includes Frederick County, in a statement..”Traffic counts are higher now, and speeds are higher so motorists need more time and space to safely merge. That’s what this project will accomplish.”The US 340 project will see work at these following locations:MD 17 to US 340 eastboundExisting ramp is approximately 235 linear feet.The new ramp will total 1230 linear feet, plus a 300- linear foot taper (a taper is where the lane width gradually decreases to merge with an existing travel lane).MD 17 to US 340 westboundExisting ramp is approximately 390 linear feet.New ramp will total approximately 1,230 linear feet plus a 300- linear foot taper.MD 180 to US 340 eastboundExisting ramp is approximately 235 linear feet.New ramp will total approximately 580 linear feet plus a 300- linear foot taper.MD 180 to US 340 westboundExisting ramp is approximately 160 linear feet.New ramp will total approximately 820 linear feet plus a 300- linear foot taper.US 15 northbound to US 340 eastboundExisting ramp is approximately 175 linear feet.New ramp will total approximately 580 linear feet plus a 300- linear foot taper.During the construction, SHA says the speed limit will be lowered through US 340 work zones from  65 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour.The primary contractor, Francis O. Day Company, Inc. of Rockville, will used automated speed enforcement in the work zone, according to SHA.Work on this project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2027 at a cost of $17.4 million.By Kevin McManus