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68 40

I-68(E-W)/US 40(E-W) Duplex
Page 1 of 3 · Hancock to Sideling

Interstate 68 and US Route 40 join for a long, 67.3-mile duplex on the National Freeway from Hancock to Keysers Ridge in Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. The western 8.4 miles of the duplex are joined by US Route 219 in the I-68/US 40/US 219 triplex, and another 6.7 miles of the duplex are joined by US Route 220 in the I-68/US 40/US 220 triplex. The I-68/US 40 duplex will be covered between its ends on this page. The I-68/US 40 western split and triplex with US 219 is covered on the I-68/US 40/US 219 page, and the triplex with US 220 is on the I-68/US 40/US 220 page.


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

I-68 west begins at the Hancock interchange, which is a double interchange for I-68, I-70, US 40, and US 522. That interchange, marking the spot where US 40 leaves I-70 for I-68 while US 522 comes along for the ride, is well covered on the I-70/US 40/US 522 page.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

First reassurance shields westbound.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

The first exit that I-68/US 40 encounters is the old alignment of US 40: MD 144 to the east into Hancock, and Scenic US 40 to the west.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

The old alignment is designated Scenic in part due to Sideling Hill, a (relatively) tall mountain that both I-68/US 40 and Scenic US 40 climb. The grade is steep and the roadway quite windy on either route. There is a visitor center near the mountain that offers a great view of the surrounding landscape.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

I-68/US 40 curves to the north on its climb up Sideling.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

Construction of I-68 called for a massive mountain cut through Sideling. The cut is hard to miss. At its base on the north side of the highway is the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center. There is a pedestrian overpass for access to eastbound travelers, who park on the other side of the interstate.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

The exit to the visitors center.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

I-68/US 40 has a third uphill lane with trucks in mind.

 


Timothy Reichard 3/8/03

The visitors center has a great overlook over the highway and mountain cut.

 


Timothy Reichard 3/8/03

A closer view of the highway. This is not only one of I-68's closest approaches to the sky, but also its closest approach to Pennsylvania, here about a third of a mile away to the north.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

There is a runaway truck ramp on the downhill side of Sideling.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

To continue on the National Freeway westward toward Cumberland, jump to page 2.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

Now going back to the east and descending toward Sideling Hill Creek with a distant view of the Sideling Hill cut.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

Ascending and bending through the cut and the closest approach to Pennsylvania.

 


Timothy Reichard 8/25/02

Now back near Hancock, I-68 is about to end. US 40 will join I-70 east while I-70/US 522 north go to Pennsylvania.

 

Local Names

68 WestNational Freeway
40 West National Pike
68 40 DuplexNational Freeway
40 EastEisenhower National Highway

 

Terraserver Imagery

Adjacent Multiplexes

68 40 219
68 40 220
70 40 522
40 281

 

 

68 40 Page 2 · Sideling to Cumberland
68 40 Page 3 · Cumberland to Chestnut Ridge
68 40 · MDRoads.com
68 40 · Interstate Guide & US Ends
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