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U.S. Route 40 Alternate (Keysers Ridge–Cumberland, Maryland)
Highway in Garrett and Allegany counties in Maryland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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U.S. Route 40 Alternate (Alt US 40) is the U.S. Highway designation for a former segment of U.S. Route 40 (US 40) through Garrett and Allegany counties in Maryland. The highway begins at US 40 near exit 14 on Interstate 68 (I-68) and runs 31.80 miles (51.18 km) eastward to Cumberland, where it ends at exit 44 on I-68.[4] Alt US 40 is maintained by the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA).
Alt. US 40 highlighted in red | |
Route information | |
Auxiliary route of US 40 | |
Maintained by MDSHA | |
Length | 31.80 mi[1] (51.18 km) |
Existed | Early 1980s[2][3]–present |
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Major junctions | |
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Major intersections |
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Location | |
Country | United States |
State | Maryland |
Counties | Garrett, Allegany |
Highway system | |
The highway is known as National Pike because it follows the original alignment of the historic National Road. As a result, there are many historic sites along Alt US 40, including the Casselman Bridge in Grantsville and the last remaining National Road toll gate house in Maryland, located in LaVale.
When the National Freeway was built in western Maryland paralleling the old National Road, parts of US 40 were bypassed. The part of the bypassed road between Keyser's Ridge and Cumberland became Alt US 40, and other bypassed sections east of Cumberland became Maryland Route 144 (MD 144) and U.S. Route 40 Scenic. Although Alt US 40 has diminished in importance from its original status as the National Road with the construction of I-68, it remains an important route for local traffic and serves as the Main Streets of Grantsville and Frostburg.[4]