The State Highway Administration is set to begin an $8.5 million construction project to improve safety and ease congestion for more than 30,000 drivers along Route 32 (Sykesville Road) between Route 26 (Liberty Road) and Macbeth Way/Piney Branch Parkway in Eldersburg.

Weather permitting, the half-mile project should be completed by fall next year.

As a county priority, the Carroll commissioners contributed $2.4 million to move the project forward.

The project includes the installation of a full traffic signal at Route 32 and Macbeth Way to improve safety and help facilitate enhanced access to Route 32 between Macbeth Way and Piney Ridge Parkway.

Other improvements include:

Widening the Routes 32/26 intersection to create an additional left-turn lane from northbound Route 32 to westbound Route 26.

Constructing a right-turn lane from northbound Route 32 to eastbound Route 26.

Building a free-flowing right-turn lane along eastbound Route 26 to southbound Route 32.

The highway administration will resurface Routes 32 and 26 along the four legs of the intersection. The existing storm-water management ponds will be upgraded and new ponds installed.

Motorists should expect single-lane closures along the project route from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. SHA also might work between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

The highway administration awarded the contract to Kibler Construction of Finksburg.

Information: 301-624-8200 or 800-635-5119.