Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 descend at a 6% grade from Frostburg east to LaVale. The city of Cumberland lies eight miles ahead at the merge with U.S. 220. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 reaches the community of LaVale at the Exit 40 interchange with Braddock Road (Maryland 49). All truck traffic destined for McCoole, Keyser, West Virginia, and points south should use Vocke Road south from Exit 40 to Maryland 53 (Winchester Road) at Winchester. Photo taken 08/07/04.
A partial-cloverleaf interchange joins Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 with Braddock, Campground, and Vocke Roads at Lavale. Campground Road stems south from U.S. 40 Alternate (National Highway) to Braddock Road and Exit 40. Vocke Road links Braddock Road with Maryland 53 (Winchester Road) to the southwest. Photo taken 08/07/04.
A look at the replaced one-mile button copy guide sign for U.S. 220 Truck (Vocke Road) on Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 east. U.S. 220 Truck follows Maryland 53 (Winchester Road) three miles south from Exit 40 to junction U.S. 220 (McMullen Highway) at Cresaptown. Photo taken 10/12/01.
An on-ramp brings traffic onto Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 east from Maryland 53 (Winchester Road) ahead of the Exit 40 off-ramp to Braddock and Vocke Roads. Braddock Road carries Maryland 49 east from Campground Road to the city of Cumberland. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68/U.S. 40 at Exit 40, Junction Truck U.S. 220/Vocke Road. Campground Road carries drivers north to U.S. 40 Alternate (National Highway) into LaVale itself. U.S. 40 Alternate parallels the National Freeway closely between Maryland 53 and Campground Road. Photo taken 08/07/04.
A look at the previous set of overheads posted at Exit 40 on Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 east. U.S. 220 Truck (Vocke & Winchester Roads) south to U.S. 220 (McMullen Highway) serves the southwest Allegany communities of Pinto, Rawling, Dawson, and McCoole on the 17-mile drive to Keyser, West Virginia. Photo taken 10/12/01.
Now entering the city of Cumberland, Interstate 68 and U.S. 40 take some sharp twists and turns for an Interstate highway. A truck restriction is placed on the left-lane of the National Freeway four miles ahead. Photo taken 08/07/04.
This mileage sign along eastbound Interstate 68 and U.S. 40 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 42, U.S. 220; Exit 43A, Johnson Street; and Exit 43B, Maryland 51. These overhead mileage signs are common in the vicinity of Cumberland. Photo taken 08/07/04.
The next exit along eastbound Interstate 68 is Junction U.S. 220 South (Exit 42), one mile. U.S. 220 is a major Appalachian route, extending south from Cumberland into West Virginia and Virginia in the shadow of the mountains. Parts of the corridor are slated for upgrade to freeway, including the section south of Roanoke, Virginia, as part of the Interstate 73/74 proposed corridor. Photo taken 10/12/01.
The replacement one-mile guide sign of Exit 42 situated along Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 east and U.S. 220 Truck north. Keyser, West Virginia and McCoole were added to U.S. 220 and Greene Street on the reflectorized guide sign. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Drawing to within one half mile of the Exit 42 diamond interchange with U.S. 220 (McMullen Highway) & Greene Street. U.S. 220 northbound merges onto the National Freeway between Exits 42 and 46. Greene Street continues into Cumberland to Water Street and Baltimore Street along the original U.S. 220 alignment. Photo taken 08/07/04.
The merge of U.S. 220 north onto Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 east at Exit 42. A truck and bus ban is in effect for U.S. 220 (McMullen Highway) on the four mile drive between west Cumberland and Cresaptown. Photo taken 08/07/04.
The previous set of overheads used at the Exit 42 ramp departure to U.S. 220 south and Greene Street east. U.S. 220 ventures two miles southwest from Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 to Potomac Park. A small welcome sign marks the Cumberland city line to the right. Photo taken 10/12/01.
U.S. 220 northbound drivers merge onto the freeway ahead of downtown Cumberland. An upcoming exits overhead lists Exits 43A (Johnson Street), 43B (Maryland 51 south), and 43C (Queen City Drive). Photo taken 08/07/04.
The next exit along eastbound Interstate 68 is Exit 43A, Johnson Street. Johnson Street leads north to Greene Street one block west of Water Street. The interchange serves West Virginia 28 Alternate at Ridgeley, West Virginia via Water Street south across the Potomac River. The Potomac River serves as the southern boundary of the state of Maryland for its entire length (except on the Delmarva Peninsula). Photos taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68/U.S. 40 at Exit 43A, Johnson Street to Junction West Virginia 28 Alternate (Bridge Street). West Virginia 28 Alternate travels south along the Potomac River to West Virginia 28 at Wiley Ford. The mileage sign indicates that Maryland 51 (Industrial Boulevard) is the next exit. Also note how narrow and windy Interstate 68 is here. Photos taken 08/07/04.
The Johnson Street on-ramp forms the exit-only lane for the southbound beginning of Maryland 51 (Industrial Boulevard) and Mechanic Street northbound. Industrial Boulevard comprises a four-lane divided highway from Interstate 68 & U.S. 40-220 southeast to Evitts Creek. Connections with Canal Parkway and West Virginia 28 serve Great Cumberland Regional Airport. Photos taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 elevates onto a four-lane viaduct over Johnson Street, Wills Creek, and the CSX Railroad, ahead of the Exit 43B off-ramp to Maryland 51 (Industrial Boulevard) south and Mechanic Street north. Maryland 51 overall travels 26 miles between Cumberland and the Potomac River at Paw Paw, West Virginia. Photos taken 08/07/04.
After Exit 43B (Maryland 51), eastbound Interstate 68/U.S. 40 reaches Exit 43C, downtown Cumberland (Queen City Drive). The exits are fast and furious on this stretch of 40-mph freeway. The left lanes are best for through traffic due to the merging and limited sight distance here. This is not an Interstate-standard freeway. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68/U.S. 40 approaching Exit 43D, Maryland Avenue. Exit 43D loops onto adjacent Emily Street ahead of its intersection with Maryland Avenue. Maryland Avenue flows north from Maryland 51 at Virginia Street to the National Freeway and Harrison Street. Again, note the narrow right of way for the freeway through downtown. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Next, eastbound Interstate 68/U.S. 40 approaches Exit 44, U.S. 40 Alternate (Baltimore Avenue) and Willow Brook Road (Maryland 639). U.S. 40 Alternate ends at Interstate 68 & U.S. 40-220 at the Exit 44 diamond interchange. Note the tight median and limited sight distance along this stretch of freeway. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Monroe Street travels high above the National Freeway ahead of the Exit 44 ramp departure for U.S. 40 Alternate (Baltimore Avenue) west and Maryland 639 (Willow Brook Road) east. The interchange represents the original eastern terminus of U.S. 48 where original U.S. 40 took over from Baltimore Avenue. Maryland 639 stems east from the junction to Allegany College and Williams Road. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 east and U.S. 220 north within the Exit 45 interchange with U.S. 40 Alternate & Maryland 639. For some reason a U.S. 220 northbound trailblazer resides near the Baltimore Avenue under crossing. U.S. 220 leaves the freeway two miles ahead. Photo taken 08/07/04.
The National Freeway leaves the city of Cumberland just ahead of the Exit 45 interchange with Hillcrest Drive. Hillcrest Drive snakes northwest from Country Club Drive to Old U.S. 40 and Blake Lane just outside the city limits. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Exit 45 departs the freeway onto adjacent Old U.S. 40 ahead of its intersection with Hillcrest Drive. Hillcrest Drive cross over Interstate 68 & U.S. 40-220 between Old U.S. 40 and Blake Lane. The drive otherwise travels southeast to Country Club Road near Cumberland Country Club. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68 approaching Junction U.S. 220 North (Exit 46). Note the northbound control city of Bedford; that is the current southern terminus of Interstate 99. Some have speculated that Interstate 99 may be constructed south to Cumberland, but no construction is occurring for such a plan. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68 approaching Junction U.S. 220 North (Exit 46) - recommendation to use U.S. 220 (Naves Cross Road) to access Maryland 144 (Baltimore Pike). Maryland 144 is the discontinuous route designation for the older sections of U.S. 40 throughout Maryland. Photo taken 08/07/04.
U.S. 220 northbound leaves Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 west at Exit 46. The federal route follows Baltimore Pike west briefly to Christie Road, and then Naves Cross Road west to Bedford Road north. U.S. 220 heads north to Bedford, Pennsylvania along Appalachian Regional Development Corridor O, then follows Interstate 99 from there north to Bald Eagle and State College. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 east veer northeast between Wolf Mill (Exit 46) and Rocky Gap State Park. The National Freeway sees a mileage sign with the Interstate 70 destinations of Hagerstown and Baltimore ahead of the Elk Lick Run bridges. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Maryland 144 (Baltimore Pike) crosses over Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 one mile west of the Pleasant Valley Road diamond interchange (Exit 50). Old Johnson Road intersects the Baltimore Pike to the right as Maryland 144 turns east to parallel the National Freeway. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 and nearby Maryland 144 (Baltimore Pike) eastbound one half mile from their respective junctions with Pleasant Valley Road. Pleasant Valley Road ventures north from Baltimore Pike into Rocky Gap State Park. The state park is home to Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery and Rocky Gap Lake. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Exit 50 leaves Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 (National Freeway) for Pleasant Valley Road. Pleasant Valley Road intersects Old Hancock Road 0.75 miles north within Rocky Gap State Park. Maryland 144 continues east two miles to meet the National Freeway at Exit 52. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68/U.S. 40 next approaches Junction Maryland 144/National Pike (Exit 52). Maryland 144 crosses over Interstate 68 twice ahead of the Exit 52 off-ramp to the National Pike eastbound. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Maryland 144/National Pike follows old U.S. 40. It would almost make more sense to consolidate Alternate U.S. 40, Scenic U.S. 40, and Maryland 144 back into its original designation (U.S. 40) and remove the duplicate route from the freeway. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 eastbound at the ramp departure onto Maryland 144 (National Pike) east. The state route passes over the freeway in the distance. Maryland 144 travels three miles east from here to Flintstone. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68/U.S. 40 approaches Junction Maryland 144/National Pike (Exit 56). Maryland 144 remains along the former U.S. 40, and its name is likely related to the fact that U.S. 40 and Interstate 68 closely parallel the route of the original National Road. The National Road was one of the first roads built by the federal government. Construction of this link between the East Coast and the Northwest Territory (now Illinois) began in 1811, and the first link was opened in 1818 between Cumberland, Maryland, and Wheeling, West Virginia. The National Road was later extended to Columbus, Ohio, and ultimately Vandalia, Illinois. Once U.S. 40 was commissioned in 1926, the "National Road" appellation was applied to its entire length from San Francisco eastward. Photos taken 08/07/04.
A folded-diamond interchange ties Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 with Maryland 144 (National Pike) to the south and Flintstone Drive to the north. Both roadways intersect Murleys Branch Road to the east. Murleys Branch Road and Black Valley Road continue north from Exit 56 to Pennsylvania 326 and Hewitt. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 eastbound at the Exit 56 off-ramp onto the adjacent Maryland 144 (National Pike). Murleys Branch Road ventures 3.7 miles north from Rush to intersect the National Pike at Flintstone. Photo taken 08/07/04.
