by Geoff Fox
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will begin several patching projects in Washington County next week and all pavement improvements should be complete by December 23, weather permitting.
Starting Monday, December 3, the SHA will improve the driving surface on southbound US 522 at Limestone Road in Hancock. 
To expedite the project, crews will close and detour southbound U.S. 522 at Limestone Road from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.
During the temporary closure, a detour will be set up from southbound U.S. 522 to Limestone Road to Main Street to Blue Hill Road and back onto southbound U.S. 522.
Also starting on December 3, the SHA will begin a project to improve the pavement on Interstate 70 between the Pennsylvania State line and the Frederick County line.
Drivers can expect single lane closures Mondays through Fridays west of Greencastle Pike from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sundays through Thursdays 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. east of Greencastle Pike.
A third pavement improvement project will also begin December 3 on Interstate 81 between I-70 and the Pennsylvania State line with single lane closures Sundays through Thursdays from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.
William Hetzer, Inc. of Hagerstown, is the contractor for the pavement improvement projects and will use arrow boards, cones, barrels, and detour signs (for U.S. 522) to guide motorists through the work zones.
