Beyond MoCo

State Highway Administration Announces Upcoming Traffic Projects in Frederick County

By MCS Staff
Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration

The Maryland State Highway Administration (MD SHA) has announced several upcoming traffic projects in Frederick County that may impact commuters traveling to and from Montgomery County.

The MD SHA is beginning a project to extend acceleration ramps on US 340 at three locations in the Brunswick area of Frederick County. Construction on the $17.4 million project will start with crews installing a concrete barrier and other work zone safety devices. The project is expected to be complete in fall 2027.
“The Brunswick area has seen tremendous growth since these US 340 ramps were first built about 60 years ago,” said Andrew Radcliffe Jr., District Engineer for District 7 which includes Frederick County. “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 project on US 340 will see work at the following locations:
         o  Existing ramp is approximately 235 linear feet.
         o  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).
          o  Existing ramp is approximately 390 linear feet.
          o  New ramp will total approximately 1,230 linear feet plus a  300- linear foot taper.
          o Existing ramp is approximately 235 linear feet.
          o New ramp will total approximately 580 linear feet plus a 300- linear foot taper.
          o Existing ramp is approximately 160 linear feet.
          o New ramp will total approximately 820 linear feet plus a 300- linear foot taper.
          o  Existing ramp is approximately 175 linear feet.
          o  New ramp will total approximately 580 linear feet plus a 300- linear foot taper.
During construction, the speed limit through the US 340 work zone will be lowered from 65 mph to 55 mph to enhance safety. The primary contractor, Francis O. Day Company Inc., based in Rockville, will use automated speed enforcement in the work zone.

Frederick County has listed the US 340 ramp extension project as a transportation priority. The county’s annual transportation priority letters are available online here. US 340 is one of the original state roads designated by the Maryland State Roads Commission (now the State Highway Administration). The road was first constructed in the 1910s and the ramps were built during an expansion of US 340 in the 1960s. Learn more about this project on the Project Portal page here.The MD SHA will also be starting construction on a project to replace the bridge on MD 77 (Rocky Ridge Road) over Beaver Branch and under the Maryland Midland Railway in Rocky Ridge, Frederick County. The $7.1 million project will construct a new, wider bridge and provide drainage improvements.

The existing bridge was built in 1928. While safe for use, the bridge is nearing the end of its service life and needs replacement. Given the confined work area, the State Highway Administration will close this portion of MD 77 starting on Monday, September 29. Traffic will be detoured during construction of the new bridge, which is expected to take eight months.

The detour route will direct eastbound and westbound motorists to use MD 76 (Motter’s Station Road), Appolds Road and Old Frederick Road. Trucks will be directed to MD 77, MD 550 (Woodsboro Creager town Road) and MD 194 (Woodsboro Pike).

The project is starting construction this month and is anticipated to be finished in summer 2026. Learn more about this project by clicking here. Brawner Builders Inc., based in Hunt Valley, will be the primary contractor on this project.

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