Traffic Alert: SHA Begins Work at Rt. 97 and Stone Road

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $2 million construction project to improve sight distance at the intersection of MD 97 (Littlestown Pike) and Stone Road, north of Westminster.

This section of MD 97 has an average daily traffic volume of 14,800 vehicles, according to a news release. 

“By relocating the end of Stone Road to move this intersection about 1,100 feet north to a flatter, straighter section of MD 97, this project will make it much easier for drivers on both roads to see oncoming traffic,” SHA District Engineer David Coyne said in a statement. “We appreciate your patience over the coming months and remind drivers to stay alert and use caution when traveling through the work zone.”

Weather permitting, the SHA reports that construction will be complete by the end of the year. During construction, motorists will encounter lane shifts, narrowed lanes and shoulder closures on MD 97 as crews work behind barrier wall to widen MD 97 for new acceleration and deceleration lanes at the future intersection location.

In addition, motorists may encounter flagging operations on MD 97 Monday through Friday during off-peak hours, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. or between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. Crews will use signs, barrels, cones and flaggers to direct traffic through the work zone, according to a news release.

The existing Stone Road will remain open while crews build the 0.3-mile-long realigned section. Once construction is complete, access from MD 97 to the old section of Stone Road will be closed. The new traffic pattern will provide designated turn lanes from MD 97 onto Stone Road, and a designated right turn lane from Stone Road onto southbound MD 97, according to a news release.

SHA’s contractor for the project is C.J. Miller Inc. of Hampstead. Customers with questions about the project or about operations on other State (numbered) routes in Carroll County may call SHA’s District 7 Office at 301-624-8100, toll-free at 1-800-635-5119 or email shadistrict7@sha.state.md.us.