June 21st, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Today, in its ongoing effort to improve work zone safety, the Maryland State Police (MSP) and the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will deploy the Maryland SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement system along I-70 eastbound at I-68 (National Freeway) in Hancock, Washington County.

Maryland SafeZones automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras are positioned on eastbound I-70 within the bridge replacement project at I-68. After a 21-day warning period, MSP will issue citations starting on or about July 12. The speed limit in the work zone is posted at 60 mph. Drivers excessively speeding by 12 or more miles over the speed limit, or 72 mph or more, face a $40 civil citation.

Maryland SafeZones supports SHA, MSP and Maryland Transportation Authority Police (MdTA) in their statewide effort to improve work zone safety. Mobile enforcement vehicles rotate within designated construction zones on controlled-access highways with posted speed limits of 45 mph or higher. Large signs are in place in advance of the work zones to alert drivers of automated speed enforcement use. Crews will also place a “speed trailer” to display the posted speed limit and drivers’ speeds in advance of the enforcement vehicle.

Where SafeZones are in place, speeding violations have decreased by more than 90 percent. ASE is currently active in nine other work zones in the State. For more information, please visit www.safezones.maryland.gov.

Crews are workings to replace the deteriorated concrete bridge deck (riding surface) of the bridge; remove and replace deteriorated steel beams; replace the walls of the bridge (parapets); repair concrete supports; replace traffic barriers; and pave the roadway.  SHA awarded the $4.8 million project to Concrete General Inc. of Gaithersburg. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained during construction. Work will be complete by summer 2017, weather permitting.

While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands.

A complete listing of current roadway projects is included in e-Road Ready 2016, the online brochure. Maryland drivers can also know before they go by calling 511 or visiting www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and lane closures.