Maryland

Next phase of Washington County I-81 widening being split in two. What to know on project

Published

9 months ago

October 21, 2025

Press Room

Next phase of Washington County I-81 widening being split in two. What to know on project

The second phase of widening Interstate 81 in Washington County, Maryland, will be split into two parts to keep the project on schedule.
Construction for Phase 2A is expected to begin in 2027, with Phase 2B starting in 2028, due to delays in negotiating stormwater management with CSX.
The project will add a third lane in each direction, replace bridge structures, and install noise barriers and new traffic signs.
Sen. Mike McKay urges drivers to pay attention to the road rather than their phones.

The next phase of widening Interstate 81 in Washington County, phase two, will be split into two phases to help keep the project on track, said Administrator William Pines with the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Phase 2A construction is anticipated to start in 2027, Pines said. That will involve widening I-81 to six lanes from Md. 63/Md. 68 (Lappans Road) to Interstate 70. Construction for Phase 2B, from I-70 to north of Halfway Boulevard, is expected to start in 2028. Work on both will overlap.

Pines said the decision this past summer to split phase two into two parts is due to stormwater management issues because talks with CSX haven’t gone well regarding getting right-of-way for stormwater ponds at the north end of Phase 2.

Rather than delay the entire project, state highway officials decided to break Phase 2 into two parts to keep the overall schedule on track and allow for more time to negotiate with CSX, he said.

Project officials are now looking at alternatives such as constructing underground storage tanks along the corridor to handle the additional volume of stormwater from widening I-81, Pines said. There also might be other places stormwater ponds could be built.

Widening I-81 not only creates more impervious space for stormwater runoff, but that runoff occurs faster with that volume, Pines said.

Pines provided an update on the I-81 widening project during an Oct. 9 meeting Maryland Department of Transportation officials had with local officials regarding state projects and transportation issues in Washington County. The meeting was held at the Washington County Public Safety Training Center south of Hagerstown.

The meeting was part of the transportation department’s fall tour to local jurisdictions to discuss the department’s draft $21.5 billion, six-year capital budget.

The department’s final FY 2026-2031 Consolidated Transportation Program, the capital budget, will come out in January.

State lawmakers will consider the plan as part of the state budget process, including formally approving fiscal year 2026-2027, and likely discussing longer term projects.

Pines said adding underground stormwater structures will add to the Phase 2 I-81 project cost.

The anticipated total estimated cost for Phase two has already gone up from $99 million, as of this past spring, to $107.8 million due to additional design expenses and a revised construction estimate, according to the state’s draft capital budget.

What’s included in Phase 2 widening of I-81 in Western Maryland?

Phase 2 of the widening project adds one lane in each direction to create three northbound and three southbound lanes.

The project also includes creating two noise barriers, similar to the walls seen along Interstate 95.

One of the noise barriers is proposed along northbound I-81 near Tammany Manor, according to a project diagram on the state’s project website for Phase 2. Tammany Manor is south of the I-81/I-70 interchange.

The other proposed noise barrier is along southbound I-81 near Lakeside Village in Halfway.

The plan for Phase 2 also includes new overhead traffic signs, including dynamic messaging signs, which can provide real-time information. The stretch of I-81 in Washington County currently has one dynamic messaging sign in the area of Showalter Road.

Most of widening Phase 2’s almost 4 miles will occur by using the current median area, according to the project website.

The project also includes replacing bridge structures over the CSX railroad tracks north of Halfway Boulevard.

What about widening the rest of I-81?

Local officials at the Oct. 9 meeting also asked about Phases 3 and 4, which would be needed to complete the widening of I-81 to the Pennsylvania state line.

While the draft capital plan has a project page for completing the last 7.2 miles of I-81 to the Pennsylvania state line, there is no future funding listed for those parts of the project through fiscal year 2031.

Washington County Commissioners Vice President Jeff Cline and State Sen. Paul Corderman, R-Washington/Frederick, talked about the need to improve I-81 for safety and for the local economy.

Corderman referred to crash data he received from the Washington County Division of Emergency Services regarding the total number of accidents to which fire and law enforcement officials had responded. The data included all accidents, including those with injury and/or property damage.

The rate of crashes along the county’s 12 miles of I-81 is on pace to reach 452 this year with 339 as of data shared on Oct. 8. There were 458 crashes in 2024 and 390 in 2023.

The rate of accidents on the county’s 38 miles of I-70 was on pace to reach 884 this year, with 663 as of the Oct. 8 data report. There were 760 crashes in 2024 and 690 in 2023.

Cline said delays on I-81 or I-70 can cost economic losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars for the community.

Corderman and Cline referred to recent crashes on both interstates.

On Thursday, Sept. 25, a Falling Waters, West Virginia, woman was pronounced dead after a three-vehicle crash on I-81 near Williamsport that involved two tractor-trailers and a passenger car.

That stretch of northbound I-81 was closed for more than 12 hours while authorities conducted a crash investigation, according to Maryland State Police. The preliminary investigation indicates a FedEx tractor-trailer hit the car as the car was slowing down for traffic, state police have said.

State police responded around 11:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, to the single-vehicle crash of a tractor-trailer hauling lettuce on eastbound I-70 near Saint Paul Road. No one was transported for injuries, according to state police.

That stretch of I-70 didn’t fully reopen until around 5 p.m. the next day, Oct. 8, according to state police.

When crashes close one of the interstates it leads to congestion not only to local roads in the immediate area, but to the broader area, officials have said.

Sen. McKay cautions about distracted driving

Speaking generally, Sen. Mike McKay, R-Washington/Allegany/Garrett, held up a cellphone during the meeting and said, “I think this is going to be the death of our community.”

Drivers are paying more attention to their phones than to the road, McKay said.

He urged community members to “show a little grace and respect to the other drivers that are on the road. Pay attention. Pay attention to what you’re doing,” McKay said.

He said he’s just as guilty as the next person.

Pines said officials need to work together on the education front when it comes to driver behavior.

With interstate projects, state highway has been including work zone and speed safety cameras to encourage drivers to slow down, he said.

“Unfortunately, we still have a lot of people that area speeding at very excessive rates. Those types of things lead to crashes and unfortunately, really this is about driver behavior a lot of the time,” Pines said.

Pines raised the issue when discussing the lane closures along I-70 near Saint Paul Road, noting that design adjustments were being made. Work recently began to replace two I-70 bridges there.

Source link

Click to comment

Maryland

Maryland Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for July 7, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Maryland Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for July 7, 2026

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 7 drawing

02-31-35-36-63, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 7 drawing

Midday: 2-0-9

Evening: 9-5-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 7 drawing

Midday: 7-5-9-7

Evening: 5-6-2-7

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from July 7 drawing

Midday: 4-9-5-4-7

Evening: 3-4-2-6-7

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 7 drawing

9 a.m.: 06

1 p.m.: 11

6 p.m.: 09

11 p.m.: 13

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from July 7 drawing

01-11-31-33-38, Bonus: 05

Check Bonus Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Keno

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Maryland Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes above $600, winners can claim by mail or in person from the Maryland Lottery office, an Expanded Cashing Authority Program location or cashiers’ windows at Maryland casinos. Prizes over $5,000 must be claimed in person.

Claiming by Mail

Sign your winning ticket and complete a claim form. Include a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID and a copy of a document that shows proof of your Social Security number or Federal Tax ID number. Mail these to:

Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center

1800 Washington Boulevard

Suite 330

Baltimore, MD 21230

For prizes over $600, bring your signed ticket, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of your Social Security or Federal Tax ID number to Maryland Lottery headquarters, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD. Claims are by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This location handles all prize amounts, including prizes over $5,000.

Winning Tickets Worth $25,000 or Less

Maryland Lottery headquarters and select Maryland casinos can redeem winning tickets valued up to $25,000. Note that casinos cannot cash prizes over $600 for non-resident and resident aliens (tax ID beginning with “9”). You must be at least 21 years of age to enter a Maryland casino. Locations include:

Horseshoe Casino: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD
MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD
Live! Casino: 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD
Ocean Downs Casino: 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD
Hollywood Casino: 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, MD
Rocky Gap Casino: 16701 Lakeview Road NE, Flintstone, MD

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Maryland Lottery.

When are the Maryland Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 Midday: 12:27 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 12:28 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
Pick 3, 4 and 5 Evening: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
Bonus Match 5: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
MultiMatch: 7:56 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Maryland editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

Maryland

Maryland Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for July 6, 2026

Published

22 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 6, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 6 drawing

17-44-63-66-67, Powerball: 04, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 6 drawing

Midday: 6-9-7

Evening: 3-4-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 6 drawing

Midday: 6-9-1-7

Evening: 0-7-6-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from July 6 drawing

Midday: 2-1-8-2-1

Evening: 8-3-6-3-3

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 6 drawing

9 a.m.: 08

1 p.m.: 04

6 p.m.: 02

11 p.m.: 09

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from July 6 drawing

04-11-16-26-31, Bonus: 20

Check Bonus Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning MultiMatch numbers from July 6 drawing

10-11-15-17-31-34

Check MultiMatch payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 6 drawing

22-25-27-47-50, Powerball: 21

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Keno

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Claiming by Mail

Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center

1800 Washington Boulevard

Suite 330

Baltimore, MD 21230

Winning Tickets Worth $25,000 or Less

Horseshoe Casino: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD
MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD
Live! Casino: 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD
Ocean Downs Casino: 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD
Hollywood Casino: 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, MD
Rocky Gap Casino: 16701 Lakeview Road NE, Flintstone, MD

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Maryland Lottery.

When are the Maryland Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 Midday: 12:27 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 12:28 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
Pick 3, 4 and 5 Evening: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
Bonus Match 5: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
MultiMatch: 7:56 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Maryland editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

Maryland

Armed security hired, tickets sold for large Maryland July 4th party that turned deadly

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2026

Press Room

Armed security hired, tickets sold for large Maryland July 4th party that turned deadly

A homeowner’s son sold tickets online for a large July 4th house party in Harford County that turned deadly shortly after midnight on Sunday.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office said the party in the 2300 block of Willow Vale Drive in Fallston attracted about 100 people, and armed security was hired. Outside of the home, a 34-year-old man was critically injured, and a 23-year-old man died after a shooting.

Officers are investigating and still searching for the shooters.

“All we know is that the party ended right around 12 o’clock, there was armed security at the party, and that individuals were leaving the house, walking up the driveway, going into the street, and some type of altercation took place up on the street, which resulted in gunfire,” said Col. William Davis, with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

Armed security hired, tickets sold for party

Investigators said the homeowner was out of town, and the son hosted a party on the Fourth of July, selling tickets online. Armed security was hired to monitor the party.

Shortly after midnight, police said an altercation led to two people being shot.

A 34-year-old man from Owings Mills, found in the garage with multiple gunshot wounds, was airlifted to the hospital. Jordan Jennings, 23, from Windsor Mill, was taken by party guests to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Deputies said the armed security was present during the shooting, but it’s not clear what role they played.

“If you have to hire armed security to be at your house for a party, it’s probably a good idea not to have that party,” Col. Davis said. “Because you’re actually saying, at that point in time, there’s a possibility that something bad could happen.”

Deputies investigating Fourth of July party shooting

Col. Davis said everyone whom investigators identified at the party was not from Harford County.

Deputies are reviewing video, witness interviews and evidence to determine who fired the shots and the motive.

“We’re still working through all that, with the shell casings and video and interviews, and all that, so we’re still not 100% sure how all that went down, but we hope to have some answers pretty soon,” Col. Davis said.

Col. Davis said no calls for service were made to that address prior to the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Harford County Sheriff’s office at 443-567-7201.

Source link