Photo by Sam Yu This aerial photo, taken Aug. 7, shows the new South East Street and I-70 interchange. At the upper left is the existing South Market Street interchange. While the total project completion is slated for spring 2010, the Maryland State Highway Administration said drivers will begin seeing benefits from the project by late fall.

The Maryland State Highway Administration's I-70 project has been in the construction stage since the fall of 2005. The plan will alleviate traffic congestion by adding lanes to I-70, as well as improve direct access to the City of Frederick , SHA said.

Total project completion is slated for early spring 2010, but SHA said drivers will begin seeing benefits by late fall.

The project includes the construction of East Street (Md. 475) from the Md. 85 interchange to East South Street, passing through Monocacy Boulevard, an extension of the former Walser Drive.

Frederick 's Dewey Jordan Inc.'s construction work is estimated at about $105 million for all phases, including design, right of way and construction. Funding came from state and federal resources.

Other aspects of the project include the widening of I-70, construction of a new Md. 85 interchange and associated ramps, the widening of Md. 355 from South Walser Drive to the northern project limit (Stadium Drive) and the construction of a Md. 355 overpass on I-70.

Extensive planning began in August 1993. "Planning involves a very detailed overview of the project, including developing a purpose and need, identifying any impacts, residential, commercial, environmental and culturally significant," according to SHA.

Public meetings and open houses were held to involve residents in choosing alternatives.

Local traffic effects include single- and double-lane closures as milling and resurfacing along I-70 occur. Drivers will also encounter single-lane closures along Md. 355.

For details about the I-70 project, visit SHA's project website at http://tinyurl.com/njmkdc.