MARYLAND RO^S SPECIAL EDITION / AUGUST 2, 1991 BUILDING THE NATIONAL FREEWAY

In the 1950s, when new interstate highways were beginning to reshape the landscape and lifestyles of much of Maryland and the nation, U.S. 40 from Hancock to Keyser's Ridge was not much more than a winding country road. Most of the roadway consisted of two 12- foot lanes, one eastbound and one westbound, with 10-foot shoulders. On some of the mountains there were truck pull lanes, which in many cases were simply wide areas to allow cars to pass trucks slowly laboring up the steep grades. The road abounded in picturesque but dangerously sharp curves. Two segments east of Cumberland, considered the toughest and most forbid- ding sections of U.S. 40 in the state, were relocated and dualized in the late 1950s. The first segment, over Martin Mountain, was completed in 1957. The second, completed a year later over Polish Mountain, contained the deepest cuts and largest fills yet engineered in Maryland. But there was no dualization west of Cumberland, and 90 percent of the roadway remained unimproved — a scenic but formidable challenge to the average motorist and an effective deterrent to economic development in Western Maryland. In 1965 the federal government focussed on the economic potential of the Appalachian region, with the passage by Congress of the Appala- chian Regional Development Act. An essential pan of the program was the Appalachian Development Highway System, a 3.000-mile, major highway network intended to foster economic development in Appalachia. Maryland's key segment of the highway network, to be called the National Freeway, was meant not only to boost the economy of Western Maryland, but to be part of an interstate network connecting the Port of Baltimore with the Ohio River Valley and the Midwest. Clockwise,from top left: Gov. William Donald It would generally follow the route of U.S. 40 west of Cumberland, the old Schaefer. who strongly supported the completion of the National Freeway, National Road; but it would also include upgrading or new construction visits Western Maryland: 1-68 near Grantsville: State Comptroller Louis generally following U.S. 40 east of Cumberland to Hancock, where it would Goldstein (right) and members of Cumberland Bicentennial Honor Guard at connect with Interstate 70. groundbreaking for last 19 miles of freeway. May. 1987. constructing a high- ^ BUILDING, page 5 level span of freeway near Cumberland. July. 1989.

THE CREATION OF A NEW INTERSTATE LINK IN WESTERN MARYLAND IS A TRANSPORTATION MILESTONE Page 2 1-68 WILL BLAZE PATH TO PROGRESS

William Donald Schaefer. Governor dramatically, and it will continue to change State of Maryland dramatically in the next 20 years. Our popula- tion is increasing, our employment and The completion of the National Freeway in residential concentrations are shifting, and our Maryland is a major accomplishment of which commuter patterns and lifestyles are altering we can all be proud. drastically. It was conceived at a federal level, as part of Our transportation network, the lifeline of the 3,000-mile Appalachian Development our state, must keep pace with these changing Highway System, to promote economic and and growing needs. We must not only maintain social development in Appalachia. our present system; we must also move forward and improve upon it. We cannot afford to do But it took two-and-a-half decades of perse- otherwise. The National verance and dedication at the state and local level Freeway will to make the vision of a National Freeway a I need you, the citizens of Maryland, to join promote reality. with me to preserve and upgrade Maryland's commerce and outstanding transportation system, which is tourism in Becaase of that perseverance and dedication, so well exemplified by its newest addition, the Western we will have an 82-mile highway built to the Nadonal Freeway. highest interstate standards — a safe, efficient Maryland. road that will encourage the influx of new industries, help retain existing businesses, and promote tourism in Western Maryland. The National Freeway is one more link in Maryland's transportation system that makes it the best transportation system in the nation. But we cannot sink into complacency. Over the past 20 yean;, Maryland has changed WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER

The National Freeway Interstate 68

WE ARE 'OPENING A WIDE DOOR'

O. James Lighthizer. Secretary Maryland and the state in the 20th and 21 st Maryland Department of Transportation centuries. George Washington foresaw the need for a Now we have a safe, high-speed roadway that road from the East Coast to the West as he will complete the interstate corridor to the Port of charted a course for our new nation. He believed Baltimore, and will stimulate economic develop- a trans-Appalachian land link was essential for ment and tourism in Western Maryland. We have moving crops and goods to the marketplace from a roadway that will link the mid-Atlantic region the new frontier. with the central Appalachian region and the major industrial centers in the Ohio River Valley Writing m his diary of September, 1784. Washington called for the nation to "open a wide and the Midwest. door, and make a smooth way for the Produce of Building the road has not been easy. It has the Country to pass to our markets." taken 26 years of hard work by thousands of Early in the 19th Century the young federal dedicated people struggling against formidable govemment responded to Washington's call, obstacles. constructing the famed National Road, which The Maryland Department of Transportation s became "The Gateway to the West." dedication to the completion of this magnificent Today, with the completion of the National project is an outstanding example of our strong Freeway, which follows the same general route, commitment to fulfilling the transportation needs we are "opening a wide door" befitting the of the citizens of Maryland and to support economic and transportation needs of Western economic development throughout the state. O JAMES UGHTHIZER Page 3 MANY INVOLVED IN COMPLETING NATIONAL FREEWAY'S FINAL LINK

Hal Kassoff, Administrator Schaefer, who as mayor agreed to a financial plan State Highway Administration that involved Baltimore City federal funding entitlements: former Secretary of Transportation It's a genuine thrill to have been part of the Bill Hellmann, whose leadership was instrumental completion of the last link of the National in resolving the location debate and in puttini: the Freeway — from planning to construction. funding package together: former Secretary of The creation of a new interstate link along the Transportation Richard Trainor. who gave top nation's most historic road corridor is a transpor- priority to completing the project; Secretary of tation milestone for Maryland and for the entire Transportation Lighthizer, whose involvement country. What began with George Washington with the "Western Maryland, More Than You Can The completion blazing a trail through the wilderness and the Imagine" promotion was triggered by the of the construction of the nation's first "National Road" freeway's completion: the many engineering National will culminate in a modem highway that will be consultants, contractors and suppliers who worked part of an interstate network designed to foster on the design and construction; and the men and Freeway was development and progress in Western Maryland women of SKA who have worked tirelessly on a culmination and all of the Appalachian region. every aspect of this once-in-a-lifetime project. of a long and difficult The completion of the National Freeway (1-68) It is with pride and joy that we present to the process. is a culmination of a long and difficult process — HAL KASSOFF citizens of Maryland, and to the nation, a com- to find the funds, to resolve the debate on pleted National Freeway. location, and to complete the project on schedule people and elected officials of Western Mary- and within budget. land, whose persistence in support of this project There are a multitude of people to thank — the was legendary; Governor William Donald 1-68 will revitalize Western MD Casper R. Taylor Jr. Western Maryland and Central Maryland will be Maryland House of Delegates brought closer together - Cumberland will be a The opening of the National Freeway - mere two hours from Baltimore! And the physical Interstate 68 - marks a pivotal turning point in the attractiveness of the highway, as it blends into the history of Western Maryland. mountains and valleys, is a tourism boost in itself. Historically, transportation created Western The commerce and social interaction generated Maryland's community and economy, beginning by the National Freeway will revitalize Western with the construction of the original National Maniand. Road, and continuing with the C&O Canal and the B&O Railroad. Governor Schaefer, through his leadership in the funding of the freeway, has caused a rebirth in our community and economy. CASPER R.TAYLOR JR. With the completion of this modem interstate. Thanks for the memories

There is no way we could thank by name MATERIALS AND RESEARCH: Haleem every one of the thousands of people within the Tahir • Ronald Ron • Samuel Miller Jr. • State Highway Administration who helped David Martin • Woody Wood • Matthew Kalb make the National Freeway a reality, and for • William Greene • Larry Michael • Robert that we apologize. Shoemaker • Frank Bishop • John Bittinger.

Nevertheless, with heartfelt thanks to CONSTRUCTION: Wallace Beaulieu • John everyone who helped in any way to complete Bushby • George Small • William Jewell • this magnificent project, we acknowledge the L.D. Metz • Joseph Dorsey • John Knepp • contributions of: John Kroll • Wayne Clark • Vemon Shriver • Paul Bender • Maple Golden • Wayne Bittinger PLANNING: Neil Pedersen • Frank Roller • David Golden • William Park • Edward • Louis Ege Jr. • Robert Houst • John Harris Miller • John Glass • John True • Ray Souders • Robert Snyder • Cynthia Simpson • James • Ranee Ritchie • Wayne Crowe • Robert Hawthome • Dennis Yoder. McCarty • Randall Wiley • George Rose • HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT: Robert Marlin Whitfield • Roger Brown • Mahlon Yost • Paul Sines • William Sines • Darrell Martin • Douglass • Frederick Eisen • Gerald Jannetti Administrator Hal Kassoff (right) presents a plaque to then-Project Engineer • Dennis German • Ellis Turner • William Homer Hoover • George Holler • Phil Sonner • Robert Douglass for his efforts in expediting the start oj construction of the John Knight • Charles Hout • Hubert Custer • Branch. last leg of the National Freeway. Morris Gaver • John Eagan • Paul Catherman • RIGHT OF WAY: Matthew Murray • Dale Glass • James Walker • Joseph Wood • Raymond Flesher • Dorrin Armentrout • Harry Thomas James • George Geary • James Blizzard Steimetz • John Ney • Ken McDonald • Keith Bowman • Edison Beachy • Robert Moore • • Joseph Footen • George Rice • Bernard Duerling • James Miller • Andrew Chin • Roxanne Harden • Terrance Ellsworth • Morrissey • Ralph Tewell. Warren Barren • Alan Forish • Joseph Patricia Boone • Sandra Getson • Floyd Bamickel • Phil Wei. Flesher • John Joyce • David Kelleher • BRIDGE: Earle Freedman • James Gatley • Daniel McMullen Jr. • Richard Shindell • John Logan Sr. • Ralph Manna • William Tom Summers • Arthur Potts • George Malone Jr. • Charles Wroten • Steven Sharar • Phebus • Frank Deavers. Andrej Kosicki • Glenn Vaughan • John Page 4 FREEWAY FOLLOWS OLD NATIONAL ROAD

The National Freeway is steeped heaviest traffic ever handled up to in the history of Amenca. When that time by an American thor- Amenca moved west, it did so on oughfare. Four- and six-horse the Old National Road, the wagons ran so close together that National Freeways predecessor the lead horses were said to have and namesake. their noses in the spare feed baskets hanging from behind the The Old National Road, which is wagons ahead. the route of D.S. 40 today, was the first and only interstate highway The Old National The route of this historic road built by the federal govemment. Road, the followed an old Indian trail, which This great super highway of the National in turn followed a well-established Nineteenth Century started at Freeway's buffalo trace. Cumberland and ran west across namesake, played the mountains, the Ohio River, the a major role The first actual construction of plains and almost reached St. in our nation's the road west of Cumberland may Louis. Missouri. be credited to the man who was to historv. A Conestoga wagon drewn by six horses passes a stagecoach at Wills Creek in become the Father of his Country. Cumberland. It was of prime importance not George Washington, at the age of only in the settling of the West, but 22, was sent from Virginia in 1754 in the development of Baltimore, with a detachment of troops to because most of the traffic flowing not wide enough for his wagons of the best standards then known to drive the French from their ammunition and stores, he sent 60 American engineers. It was hailed eastward was headed to the American holdings at Ft. markets and port of that city. men ahead to widen the trail to 6 as the finest in the United States, Duquesne (the site of present-day feet. and its heavy stone foundation was At its height the road carried the Pittsburgh). Because the road was compared to that of the Appian A year later, Washington's 6-foot Way. roadway across the mountains was widened to 12 feet by General Nevertheless, by the time Braddock's troops as they marched Congress transferred ownership of westward to meet defeat at the hands the road in 1832 to the states of the French and Indians. through which it passed, it was badly in need of repair. Maryland In 1806 Congress formally and Pennsylvania accepted the road authorized a road to be built from only on the condition that the Cumberland to the state of Ohio, to federal govemment repair it to their be funded by land sales in the new satisfaction. state. Maryland's Governor James On March 29, 1806, President Thomas insisted that the road be Thomas Jefferson signed a bill completely rebuilt using the new appropriating $30,000 for a prelimi- macadam method developed by the nary survey from Cumberland, Scottish engineer, John L. through the Cumberland Narrows McAdam. This process, rather than and across the mountains to the Ohio using larger stones for a base, called River at Wheeling. for the use of small stones through- The first contract was let in 1811, out, so thoroughly compacted that and the road was opened to Wheel- they formed practically a solid base. ing by 1818. Rebuilding the National Road in 1834. Wi)rkmen sit on the ground breaking stone nith a small hammer. By 1837, when the young The inspector at left is testing the stone to see if it will pass through a 3-inch ring. The one next to him is Although the roads east of engineers of the War Department weighing each stone to keep it down to 4 ounces. Cumberland were far from complete had macadamized the road to by that time. U.S. mail coaches Wheeling and beyond, the road was immediately began service between said to have reached its peak of Washington and Wheeling. They perfection. The old roadway had Casselman Bridge was built to last were followed over the mountains been paved to a width of 20 feet; by a continuous stream of traffic that the new surfacing was 30 feet wide. No stream crossing was a finer example of increased year by year. Forging hand-built sturdiness than the stone-arch westward, the road reached Colum- Maryland had taken over the bridges of the early Nineteenth Century: and bus. Ohio, in 1833 and the Indiana administration of the road in 1835, no state had more conspicuous examples of state line five years later. operating it as a toll facility. It set this ancient art than Maryland. up two toll houses, one just west of In 1838 Congress made its last Cumberland (the brick octagonal The Casselman (also spelled Castleman) appropriation for the National Road. building is still standing), and the River Bridge, near Grantsville in Garrett By that time it had been "grubbed, other west of Frostburg (the County, was the largest stone arch bridge in graded and bridged" across the America when it was built in 1813 as part of building is gone, but the toll gate entire state of Indiana, and in Illinois posts remain). the National Road. the right of way had been established Each stone in the 80-foot, single-arch bridge as far as Vandalia. This left only a The road was filled with gaily was hand-cut and hand-placed. The huge arch "hop, skip and a jump" to complete painted stages, canvas-covered of the bridge was so unusual at the time it was Casselman River Bridge the road to St. Louis, Missouri, the Conestoga wagons, and droves of built that many citizens shook their heads and western terminus of the National animals. Inns were placed about 12 predicted it would fall as soon as the supports Road. miles apart for the stages, and were removed. The Casselman Bridge was in continuous The federal govemment spent wagon stands or taverns dotted the use for 120 years. It was closed in 1933, when about $ 1.7 million on the section roadside every mile or so. This apprehension was so general that the a new concrete and steel structure was erected contractor's confidence in his own work was between Cumberland and Wheeling, The Old National Road was not by the State Roads Commission to give better an average cost for the 132 miles of undermined. To avoid embarrassment on the alignment and a wider roadway. just colorful and picturesque: it day of the formal opening, he slipped out the about $13,000 a mile, including opened the West years ahead of the night before and removed the arch support The majestic old bridge, now a National extensive rebuilding in the 1830s. railroad and had a profound impact timbers. The bridge stood, "as though created Historic Landmark, is still standing in an This was considered by many to be on the economy of early Maryland from solid stone." excellent state of preservation. an exorbitant price. and the growth of the Port of The road was built according to Baltimore. PageS 1-68 CONSTRUCTION SPANNED 26 YEARS

BUILDING, from page 1

Old and new The sleek lines of the nen Where U.S. 40 veered northwest at National Freeway offer a striking Keyser's Ridge to head up through contrast to the sharp cun'es of Pennsylvania to Wheeling, West old US. 40: left, the freeway Virginia, the new National Freeway crossing the Youghiogheny River would instead blaze a new trail due in Garrett County: below. US. 40 west, to connect with interstate 79 at at the west foot of Polish Moun- Morgantown, West Virginia. tain, about 1937. The construction of the freeway, originally designated U.S. 48, spanned 26 years, alternately proceeding full speed ahead through times of fiscal plenty and stagnating in times of fiscal drought, and occasionally becoming mired in controversy over environmental impacts and alternate routes. But in the end, a modem, divided, multi-lane, controlled access freeway built to exacting interstate standards and designated 1-68 would stretch for 82 unbroken miles the highway running into But selecting the best alternate through the most rugged mountain Morgantown. for Section I. the remaining 19- Courtesy Al Feldstem. MD Planning Office terrain in the state. mile segment, was a much more 3 August 13,1976— 13-mile difficult task. AGFA, an alignment that gener- By November. 1966, two segment opened from Finzel Road ally follows U.S. 40 from Green segments of the freeway were to the Keyser's Ridge interchange. At stake were the potential INTERSTATE Ridge State Forest to Wolfe Mill. already completed: a 3-mile section impacts of various alternates on With the opening of this last The project was approved by in Washington County, just west of historic areas, including the segment, the 44-mile portion of the FHWA in 1986. Hancock, and a one-mile section of Breakneck Valley and Rintstone freeway from Cumberland to the the Cumberland Thru way, just east historic districts; and on Green "[Then-1 Transportation West Virginia line, a $126 million of Cumberland. In December, 1967, Ridge State Forest and Rocky Secretary Bill Hellmann and undertaking, was completed. a 3.6-mile section opened east of Gap State Park. Administrator Hal Kassoff took a Green Ridge State Forest in In the meantime, plans were personal interest in this job," said The alternate selected and Houst. "It was a top priority with Allegany County, from Mountain underway for the Cumberland-to- The National Road to Orleans Road. Hancock segment. approved by FHWA in 1980, Governor Schaefer." AGBF2, was an entirely new Freeway, SWHAT — the Statewide A 3.6-mile section running west With the passage of the National route considerably south of U.S. stretching over 82 Highway Action Team, led by out of Cumberland to Volke Road Environmental Policy Act in 1970, 40. It was opposed by environ- miles of rugged then-Project Engineer Bob (MD 53) opened on October 18, Maryland was now required to file mental groups, who favored mountain terrain, Douglass (now Deputy Chief 1969. an Environmental Impact State- simply upgrading U.S. 40. The is built to exacting ment before beginning any major Engineer. Highway Develop- During the next decade construc- groups took the issue to court, interstate road construction. which ruled in favor of the State ment), fast-tracked the project tion on the freeway pushed steadily standards. through planning and design. Highway Administration. westward from Cumberland to the A Location Study was begun in Ground was broken for the West Virginia state line, with these 1972, alternate routes selected, and In 1984, however. SHA milestones: public hearings were held in 1973. $182 million project on May 25, completely re-evaluated the 1987. Opening ceremonies for the G October 12, 1973 — Opened from This last portion was divided alignments. final segment and for the designa- LaVale to MD 36 at Frostburg. into two sections. An alternate "We did a tremendous amount tion of the National Freeway as route was approved in 1977 by the Zl November 1. 1974 — Opened of coordination with the Depart- Interstate 68 are scheduled for from MD 36 to the Finzel Road Federal Highway Administration ment of Natural Resources on the August 2. interchange (2 miles into Garrett for Section II, the Sideling Hill selected alignment," said Robert section, from Town Hill to County). Houst, assistant division chief. Hancock. The 4.5-mile Sideling Project Planning, who became the 3 November 13,1975 — 14-mile Hill Cut segment of Section II project manager in 1985. segment opened from Keyser's opened on August 15, 1985. The Ridge to the West Virginia border. entire 8.7-mile Sideling Hill Based on cost and impacts to At the same time. West Virginia section was completed in 1986, at a parkland and the natural environ- dedicated 27 miles of its portion of cost of $44 million. ment, they selected Modified

U. Gov. Blair Lee III (2nd from left) and Transportation Secretary Harry Hughes (left) open the US. 48 segment from NATIONAL F«££**' Keyser's Ridge to the West Virginia state line in 1975: photo right: Administrator Hal Kassoffand District -o- Engineer Wallace Beaulieu speak at an early public meeting on the final segment of US. 48. Page 6

The prime contractors were: S. J. Grove, of Minneapolis, Minn. — THE Contract 1. Geupel Construction, of Columbus, Ohio — Contracts 2 and 5. Vecellio and Grogan, of Beckley, W.Va. LAST — Contract 3. Trumbull Corporation, of Pittsburgh, Pa. — Contract 4. "We had good bids," noted Douglass. 19 They came in generally below the engi- neers' estimates." The project included 20 bridges, six box culverts, 15 multi-plate pipes (for storm MILES drainage), and 12 retaining walls. "A lot of money on this job was spent on Completing the last gap of the National Construction proceeds on the National Freeway crossing Towne Creek at Flintstone in the moving dirt" because of the mountainous Freeway wa^a high priority, fast-track fall of I99Q. Vecellio and Grogan were the contractors. terrain, said Douglass. project in which planning, design, and right of way acquisition, normally done in extensive evaluation process, SHA "Contract I was common to all the The project required moving 13.9 million sequence, were done simultaneously, selected the U.S. 40 corridor alignment. alignments, so we .started the design on it cubic yards of excavation. The sidehill fill followed hard on the heels by construction. real early - so construction on it started on Martin's Mountain, performed by The project was completed under five Trumbull Corporation, was an unusual It was a scenario calling for tremendous contracts. The design consultants, all local early, a year before the other contracts," said Bob Douglass, Deputy Chief Engi- challenge, calling for 2 1/2 million yards of coordination and cooperation between firms, for these contracts (listed geographi- a special fill made out of rock. everyone involved. cally, from east to west) were: neer, Highway Development. "Once the lalignment] decision was made, the other "It's unusual to have that much fill in one For this formidable task, the State Contract 1 (M.V. Smith Road to Davis jobs followed, and the design work was area," said Jim Zufall, ADE Construction, Highway Administration assembled an Road) and Contract 2 (Davis Road to Old done on all of them simultaneously." District 6. impressive cast of planning and detiign Cumberland Road) — Hurst-Rosche The consultants designed the bridges consultants and contractors. Engineers. The entire job required 2.75 miles of within their respective highway segments, stream relocation, which was monitored In late 1984 the consultant firms of Contract 3 (Old Cumberland Road to working from a design theme supplied by closely by the Water Resources Administra- Wilson T. Ballard Company, of Owiiigs Dolly Road) — Rummel. Klepper and SHA's bridge design engineers. Mills, and Rummel. Klepper and Kahl. of Kahl. tion. "The typical bridge had stone facing on Baltimore, were retained to complete Contract 4 (Dolly Road to Hinkle Road) For the most part, the contracts proceeded the abutments, to help blend with the engineering and environmental studies to — Greiner. Inc. very smoothly and were completed on time, environment," said bridge design engineer identify possible alignment modifications said Zufall. "We were able to maintain Contract 5 (Hinkle Road to Christie Ralph Manna. "The piers had an unusual that would mitigate adverse impacts. traffic at all times." Road) — Johnson, Mirmiran and Thomp- V-shape, for aesthetics. The posts on the After a September. 1985, Location/ son/Kennedy Porter and Associates Joint fencing and the fronts of the abutments "The end result was very good," he Design Public Hearing and a subsequent Venture. were also slanted, to match the piers." concluded. EXHIBIT CENTER TO HAVE GEOLOGIC INFO Geologists were ecstatic when the of the cut's exposed layers, Sideling Hill Cut was completed. which predate the dinosaur, show that seas once covered Western They called it one of the best Maryland. rock exposures in the entire country, comparable to the famous premier "It's the guiding exposure for road cut along Interstate 70 west of sedimentary geology in the Denver. Northeast." declared one geologist, who has studied the The Sideling Hill Cut reveals cut for several years. richly colored layers of sandstones, The Sideling Hill But soon, the Sideling Hill Cut siltstones, shale, coal and conglom- won't be just for geologists Exhibit Center erates in red, maroon, gray, tan, anymore. promises to make black and white. the Sideling Hill With the opening of the Cut a iiKijor It offers a spectacular view of a Sideling Hill Exhibit Center on tourist attraction. syncline, a downfold of layered August 2, motorists will be able rock, formed when layers of rocks to do more than catch a quick were tilted and folded by the glimpse of the cut as they ride by. The Sideling Hill Exhibit Center, under construction, will open August 2. collision between the North American and African continents The facility will feature a closer view of the cut from a tourist information and displays of about 230 million years ago. three-story exhibit and tourist viewing area, also on the tourist attractions throughout information center on westbound westbound side. A pedestrian Maryland. The first, or basement Marine fossils found in the oldest 1-68. Visitors will be able to get a bridge above 1-68 will connect the floor will have a 65-seat audito- westbound side with additional rium and can be used as a lab and parking on the eastbound side. a reception hall to accommodate visiting groups of schoolchildren Vietnam Veterans memorial at site The third floor of the center will and others. offer a potpourri of geological Interstate 68 is dedicated in recogni- be dedicated to the Vietnam veterans of tion and memory of those Marylanders Maryland. exhibits, many of them hands-on, The center, built and operated who sened in the Vietnam War — showing the various rocks at the through the joint efforts of the 7959-/975. The memorial was proposed by the cut, the types of tools used by State Highway Administration, the geologists, geological environ- Department of Economic and That is the inscription of a plaque Vietnam Veterans of America. Chapter ments, and a geological map of Employment Development and the that will appear on Western Maryland's 172, of Cumberland. The plaque, Maryland. An animated movie will Department of Natural Resources, first Vietnam veterans' memorial, to be provided by the veterans' chapter, will illustrate how Sideling Hill, and the will include picnic areas, located at the Sideling Hill Exhibit be placed on an 11 -ton, gray sandstone Appalachian Mountains, of which it restrooms and vending facilities. Center site. conglomerate rock from Savage River State Park. is a part were formed. The memorial will be dedicated on A button-activated video and The new Sideling Hill Exhibit August 2, the date for the opening of The State Highway Administration is exhibits on the mezzanine floor will Center promises to be the catalyst the center and for ceremonies designat- designing and landscaping the memo- show how engineers made the cut. that will make the Sideling Hill ing U.S. 48 as Interstate 68, which will rial site. Cut one of the major tourist The second floor will feature attractions in Maryland. Page? MAINTAINING 1-68 IS MAJOR OPERATION

Building an 82-mile interstate is _l Snow removal and winter no small job. operations cleanup Neither is maintaining it once _l Maintaining signs, traffic it's completed. signals, line striping, guard rails and lighting The annual price tag for maintaining the National Freeway J Bridge repair, painting and will be approximately $2.2 million. cleaning If that sounds high, consider J Cleaning ditches and drains what has to be done to keep this _l Litter control new interstate in good condition: 3 Emergency maintenance due to G Periodic resurfacing and sealing storms or flooding Snow removal of the four-lane highway's on 1-68 will be approximately 400 lane miles of 3 Grass mowing bituminous asphalt pavement an important ^J Courtesy patrols at civic events maintenance and on holiday weekends operation. J Responding to emergency conditions such as accidents and spills. Maintenance should be minimal on the newer portions of 1-68 for the first year or two. "There won't be any need for patching. Joint sealing or line striping at least this year," says Top photo: A front end loader removes snow from the ramp from I S. 21V to Maple Golden, the assistant district the National Freeway: bottom photo, surface patching on the Crosstown Bridge engineer in charge of the freeway's segment of the freeway in Cumberland are {from left) Ken Rosenberger. Ernie upkeep. Santmyire. Ken Hill and Joe Clanagan. But as the roadway ages, motorists will see State Highway Administration maintenance a large arrow board to divert removal operations, however, is workers out along the highway, traffic, and by a dump truck with what will make its maintenance mowing the grass with tractor an attachment called an attenuator, chores unique from those of all mowers, string trimmers, and which acts as a crash cushion in other Maryland interstates. case a motorist fails to heed the "boom-axes" — tractors with large The winter season in the three arrow board. arms that extend out to mow counties spanned by 1-68 is longer behind guard rails or up slopes. Workers will seal pavement and colder than anywhere else in Signal technicians, hoisted up in cracks with a Bearcat sealer, a Maryland. In Garrett County, the aerial bucket trucks, will repair small boiler with a hose that westernmost county, it extends traffic signals. squeegees liquid rubber into the from October through April, with cracks. Crews will resurface over 30 storms and 100-plus inches District paint crews, operating pavement using trucks, sweepers, of snow annually. Highway worker Terry Frazee tightens a specially designed paint trucks, pavers and 6-ton rollers. ne\i' guardrail section on the National will restripe lines. Each paint truck Combine this with the mountain- Freeway. will be followed by a vehicle with The magnitude of 1-68's snow ous terrain, where trucks attempt- ing to snake up long. 6 percent grades in the snow often gel stuck, blocking one or two lanes and obstructing snow removal vehicles, and you've got a major mainte- Signs of the times nance challenge.

The simple road markers along the Old these markers, which were only 1 1/2 to 3 ^^^^^H The good news is that there National Road offer a shaip contrast to the feet high, hard to read and set well off the should not be major drifting on I modem signs that will direct traffic on the road. 68, because most of the roadway is new National Freeway. W^f^ built high, allowing the snow to A very different experience awaits the drift down and away from it. Most of the original National Road traveler along the new National Freeway. markers, which date back as early as 1806, Over 1,000 brightly colored signs, con- I 130 In addition, because the freeway were of cast iron, painted white. Shaped structed of reflective aluminum sheeting is an interstate and therefore a like miniature Washington Monuments, for easy visibility at night, will direct the ^ frfcru^i primary artery, clearing it during they dotted the roadside at 1 -mile intervals. traveler. snowstorms will receive top priority. Workers will use a wide Some did double duty with, for ex- They will include 395 of the distinctive fioth't* 1 variety of equipment; snow plows ample, one side reading "1 [mile] to red, white and blue interstate route shields; M with spreaders for salt and abra- Cumberland" for eastbound travelers, and ground-mounted destination, or mileage, sives; large, four-wheel drive another side, directing westbound travel- panels 13 feet across and 8 feet high; 12- trucks with big blades; front end ers, reading "130 to Wheeling; to by-15 foot overhead exit signs; 164 loaders to remove snow from Frostburgh. 10." milepost markers, and, of course, speed shoulders and gore areas; and Only about seven or eight of these limit signs. seven snow blowers of various picturesque markers remain along Old U.S. sizes. All of them will follow uniform 40 west of Cumberland in Maryland, standards set by the American Association i^3fc In short, the State Highway It is intriguing to imagine a caped of State Highway and Transportation Administration's plans to maintain stagecoach driver climbing down from his Officials, designed to enable quick The original marker, above, on the south the National Freeway promise to perch during a nighttime run, lantern held comprehension by motorists who have hank of Wills Creek, marks the begin- perpetuate Maryland's reputation aloft, to peer through the darkness at one of only a few seconds to read their message. ning of the Old National Road west. for excellence in highway mainte- nance. Page8 1-68 is freeway to fun in Western Maryland

With the completion of the National Freeway, Western Maryland will be easier than ever to get to, and so will its many attractions. For natural beauty. Western Maryland is hard to beat. The grand, forested peaks and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains form a rugged and breathtaking wonderland. For outdoor enthusiasts, its 75,000 acres of forests, lakes and rivers offer camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, rafting and skiing. History buffs will find many places worth visiting too. Here are just a few of many attractions to put on your "Don't Miss" list: The National Freeway will make visiting PLACES TO GO Western Maryland's many GARRETT COUNTY attractions easier and more (For more information call 301-334-1948) enjoyable than DEEP CREEK LAKE, US 219. McHeniy — A kayaker fights the rapids on Savage River. ever. Largest freshwater lake in Maryland. Boating, water skiing, fishing, swimming, hiking, sailing, skiing, WASHINGTON COUNTY AUGUST 3-4 — Jonathan Hager snow mobiling. ice skating, camping. (For more information call 301 -791 -3130) Frontier Craft Days Jonathan Hager House, Sat.-Sun.. 1 a.m.-5 p.m. ANTIETAM NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD, Demonstrating craftsmen. Bluegrass music, food. MD 65. Sharpsburg — Civil War site of the bloodiest single day battle in American history. AUGUST 11-17 — Garrett County C&O CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL Agriculture Fair PARK — 184.5-mile towpath paralleling Potomac River from Georgetown to Garten County Fairgrounds. US 219. Exhibits. 4-H. Cumberland. FFA, crafts, displays, livestock, entertainment, parade, large midway, baby beef sale. FORT FREDERICK, Fort Frederick State Park, MD 56, Big Pool — Last remaining British AUGUST 17-18 — Maryland State stone fort in America; used during French and Chili Championship Indian Wars. Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Allegany County Fairgrounds. Crowning of Miss Chili Pepper, chili cookers compete for prizes and trophy, samples, entertainment, food. THINGS TO DO AUGUST 31 — Greater Gortner AUGUST 2-4 — Rocky Gap Music Airport Fly-in Festival Off Blue Ribbon Road. 7th annual event for all Rocky Gap State Park, Fri., 7-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. ages: candy drop for children, skydiving, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Country/Western, Bluegrass, airshow, acrobatic flying, live band, Shriner arts and crafts, food, children's entertainment, clowns, airplane rides, concessions, remote picnicking, camping, swimming, canoeing. control airplanes, displays and exhibits.

Canoeing on Deep Creek Lake. OCTOBER 10-13 — Autumn AUGUST 3 — Hagerstown City Glory Festival SAVAGE RIVER, northwest of Bloomington Market 200-Year Anniversary Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County. Celebrates — named for harrowing Whitewater along a Market House, Sat., 6 a.m.-l p.m. Fresh beautiful fall foliage; parade. Maryland five- 5 1/2-mile run; site of 1989 World Champion- produce, meats, crafts, entertainment, door string banjo and fiddle championship, antiques, ship Whitewater Races. prizes. dancing. YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER AND RESER- Antietam National VOIR, off National Freeway, Friendsville — Battlefield. River flows through Ganett County in an almost completely unspoiled state; fishing, boating, water-skiing, swimming and camping. ALLEGANY COUNTY (For more information call 301-777-5905) ALLEGANY CENTRAL RAILROAD, ! Western Maryland Station Center. Cumberland — Steam-powered train ride from Cumberland through beautiful mountain scenery to Frostburg and back. C&O CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL mm 1 p^ PARK VISITOR CENTER, Cumberland — Features a display of canal photos and artifacts. s s v 1 THE NARROWS, US 40A west of Cumberland — Famous scenic passageway through the - • mountains through which Americans traveled to *^44 - settle the West. ISi