The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a resurfacing project on U.S. Rt. 219 (Third Street) in Oakland on Monday, June 10. The work is expected to take about two weeks, weather permitting.
SHA will resurface Rt. 219 between Oak and East Orchid streets. In addition, work crews will restripe the roadway to add a southbound left-turn lane on the highway between East Pennington and East Center streets.
This change, added to the project in response to citizen requests, will improve traffic flow by creating a separate lane for traffic making left turns into McDonald’s and Sheetz and onto East Center Street, noted Anthony Crawford, District 6 engineer.
“As crews start work out on the road, we ask for drivers to use extra caution and allow some additional travel time to get through the work zone,” he said. “This is a relatively short-term project, so it is all the more important to remain alert since every day there will be changes.”
Working hours for the project are tentatively set for 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. During those hours, a flagging operation will be in place to alternate the traffic direction on Rt. 219/Third Street, and parking will be prohibited along the roadway.
“Motorists should anticipate delays and use extra caution in the work zone,” Crawford stressed. “When the work is complete, the daily average of more than 11,000 motorists who use this section of U.S. 219 will travel on a smoother, safer pavement surface with fresh, bright lines.”
The work is being performed by Keystone Lime Company Inc. of Springs, Pa., under SHA’s $4 million areawide paving contract in Garrett County.
Anyone with questions about traffic operations along Rt. 219 or other state numbered routes in Garrett County may call SHA’s District 6 office at 301-729-8400 or toll free at 800-760-7138.
