Interstate 68 - National Freeway

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Interstate 68 follows the National Freeway from the state of West Virginia east to Interstate 70 at Hancock. The highway traverses the Appalachian Mountains across the Maryland panhandle through the city of Cumberland. The 82 mile long route overlaps with U.S. 40 for all but the westernmost 14 miles.

Interstate 68 Maryland Guides

Constructed in stages between 1963 and 1991 as part of Appalachian Regional Development Corridor E, the National Freeway was formally designated U.S. 48 with approval by the American Association of State Highway Officials on October 26, 1969. As approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), U.S. 48 was eventually extended east from Cumberland alongside U.S. 40 to I-70 at Hancock in 1986. An Interstate Highway designation for the National Freeway was sought once it was determined that the National Freeway was a good, toll-free alternate route to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-70/76).

The Interstate 68 designation was originally reserved for U.S. 50 (John Hanson Highway) between the Capital Beltway (I-95-495) and Annapolis, a distance of 19.5 miles. The initial proposal for I-68 replaced I-97 and I-197 along John Hanson Highway east from I-95 to MD 70 (Rowe Boulevard) outside Annapolis. Renumbering action by AASHTO was withheld on the application for I-68 submitted by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) on May 12, 1981. Correspondence from AASHTO to MDOT on July 1, 1981 explained:

Your request for the Renumbering of I-97 and I-197 as I-68 has been considered by the Route Numbering Committee at their recent meeting in Dallas, Texas. Action was withheld on this request since the proposal would leave a spur segment with a two-digit number. The Committee requests your further review of this application.

MDOT revised the proposal for Interstate 68 along U.S. 50 (John Hanson Highway) in a letter dated July 30, 1981 to AASHTO:

We are still committed to this change; attached is a revised proposal which corrects the two-digit number spur section, designating I-97 as I-68 and I-197 as I-168.
I-68/97/168/297 - 1981 Proposed Numbering

AASHTO concurred with the revised route of I-68 and the establishment of I-168 subject to approval by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on October 4, 1981.

Ultimately I-68 east from the Capital Beltway to Annapolis was reassigned as Interstate 595, allowing MDOT to utilize I-68 along U.S. 48 (National Freeway) in 1991. Applications establishing I-595 along U.S. 50 and I-68 along U.S. 48 were approved by AASHTO on June 7, 1989.

Interstate 68 scenes
Johnson Street travels eastbound under I-68/U.S. 40 as the National Freeway rises on a viaduct over local streets and Wills Creek into downtown Cumberland. 08/07/04
Johnson Street curves northward underneath I-68/U.S. 40 to intersect Greene Street (former U.S. 220). Greene Street travels adjacent to I-68 between Water Street and the exchange where U.S. 220 departs from the National Freeway. 08/07/04
This trailblazer directing motorists to WV 28 Alternate was replaced by 2009 with a trailblazer for MD 51 (West Industrial Boulevard). 08/07/04
Greene Street (former U.S. 220) eastbound on the approach to Bridge Street. Bridge Street crosses the northern branch of the Potomac River into West Virginia as WV 28 Alternate while Greene Street turns north one block to an end at Baltimore Street. 08/07/04
Bridge Street passes beneath I-68/U.S. 40 ahead of a steel arch bridge over the northern branch of the Potomac River into West Virginia.
WV 28 Alternate passes under a low clearance railroad crossing 0.25 miles ahead at Mulligan Street. 08/07/04
Crossing the Potomac River along Bridge Street southbound between I-68/U.S. 40 and the beginning of WV 28 Alternate. 08/07/04
Bridge Street enters the Mountain State at the south end of the Blue Bridge. Built in 1954, the Blue Bridge is one of the few remaining steel tied-arch spans in Maryland.1 08/07/04
Bridge Street northbound ties into Greene Street beyond the north branch of the Potomac River and I-68/U.S. 40 viaduct. 08/07/04
This sign assembly stands along Johnson Street west near right-on right-off (RIRO) ramps for I-68/U.S. 40 (Exit 43A). 08/07/04
Johnson Street ends ahead as traffic enters the RIRO for I-68/U.S. 40 (National Freeway east). The National Freeway travels east across Wills Creek between Johnson Street and Downtown Cumberland. 08/07/04

Sources:
  1. Blue Bridge. BridgeHunter.com.


Photo Credits:

08/07/04 by AARoads

Connect with:
Interstate 70
U.S. 40
U.S. 522 - Washington County

Page Updated 02-07-2023.

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