FS 17

The document summarizes information about the construction of the Sideling Hill road cut on Interstate 68 in Maryland and the adjacent Sideling Hill Exhibit Center. Excavation of the 340-foot deep road cut began in 1983 and was completed in 1985, requiring 2,600 tons of explosives to break up the rock. 4.5 million cubic yards of rock were removed. The contractor was Holloway Construction Company. The road cut and miles of road cost $20.1 million. The Exhibit Center was built from 1989-1991 at a cost of $5.5 million and opened in 1991 but closed in 2009 and was moved to Hancock, Maryland.

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FS 17

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FactSheet 17:

Construction Information about the

Sideling Hill Road Cut & Exhibit Center
Compiled from various sources by staffs of the Maryland Geological Survey and the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center.

The I-68 roadcut through the crest of Sideling Hill in western Washington County, Maryland, created one of
the best geologic exposures in the northeastern United States. Revealing a cross section through a synclinal
ridge, this massive cut has proven to be a significant educational and research tool and tourist attraction.
Aside from the geology, however, many visitors ask questions about the construction of this road cut and the
Sideling Hill Exhibit Center, which has now moved to Hancock, MD. This fact sheet attempts to answer many
of those questions.

When was this part of the Interstate 68 and the road cut constructed?
Excavation began in April 1983, blasting was completed 16 months later in August 1984; the completed
highway was opened in August 1985.

How deep is the Sideling Hill road cut?

The cut is 340 feet deep from the ridge crest to road level. Surface elevation at the ridge crest is about
1,620 feet and at road level about 1,280 feet.

Oblique aerial view west toward the roadcut shows Obique view closer to Sideling Hill than the photo at
the ridge form of Sideling Hill before construction of left. In this photo, the Exhibit Center and pedestrian
the exhibit center and rest area. (Photo by Paul bridge are clearly visible. (Federal Highway
Breeding for the Maryland Geological Survey, 1986) Administration, Maryland Division)

Oblique view of the north side (south-facing) side

of the roadcut, showing the syncline that underlies
Sideling Hill. (Photo by Paul Breeding for the View west from the pedestrian bridge. (Maryland
Maryland Geological Survey, 1986) Geological Survey)
How wide is the road cut?
The road cut is 200 feet wide at road level and 720 feet at the top of the cut.

How was the road cut made?

Blasting with a total of approximately 2,600 tons of explosives was the major method used to break up the
rock, which was then removed with giant earthmovers.
How much rock was excavated from Sideling Hill?
4.5 million cubic yards, or about 10 million tons, of rock were removed to make the cut through Sideling Hill.
Most of the rock was crushed and used to make the road bed leading to the cut.
Were there any serious accidents or fatalities during the construction of the road cut?
No.

What is the purpose of the horizontal ledges on the face of the Sideling Hill road cut?
The ledges, or benches, are 10 to 20 feet wide and slant towards the mountain to catch and hold falling
rocks. The four ledges on each side of the cut are 80 feet apart vertically.
What was the cost of making the Sideling Hill road cut?
The road cut and miles of road cost $20.1 million, $10 million less than the next competitive bidder. The
project was paid for with 90% Federal monies and 10% State monies.

Who was the contractor for making the Sideling Hill road cut?
The prime contractor was Holloway Construction Company of Wixon, Michigan.
Was a tunnel ever considered in the planning?
The cost of continuous maintenance and upkeep would make a tunnel more expensive and a poor choice.
Also, people hurt in accidents would be much more easily evacuated from the road cut by helicopter.

How much did the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center cost?

The building cost $1.8 million. The entire complex of the center, parking lots, water and sewer systems cost
about $5.5 million. The project was funded entirely by State monies.
How long did it take to build the Exhibit Center?
The Exhibit Center was begun in the spring of 1989, and the building was completed in July 1991. Architect
Henry Dubay, of Greiner Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland designed the Exhibit Center.
When was the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center opened to the public?
Governor William Donald Schaefer dedicated and opened the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center to the public on
August 2, 1991. It is now permanently closed.

When was the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center closed to the public and where is it now?

The Exhibit Center at Sideling Hill was permanently closed in 2009 due lack of funds. The exhibit was
move to the Hancock Museum at 42 W. Main St., Hancock, MD 21750-1107; (301) 678-6236. For more
information, visit http://www.hancockmd.com/ . Be sure to visit the newly renovated Sideling Hill Exhibit,
a short drive from the road cut in Hancock, MD.
Some links for more information:

* Geology of the Sideling Hill Road cut: http://www.mgs.md.gov/esic/brochures/sideling.html *

Sideling Hill Exhibit Center: http ://www.dnr.state.md. us/publiclands/western/sidelinghill .html

This fact sheet was prepared for the MGS website by James P. Reger and Robert D. Conkwright – May, 2005.
For more information, contact Dale Shelton at 410-554-5500 or [email protected].

STATE OF MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

RESOURCES
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Emery T. Cleaves
Governor C. Ronald Franks Director
Secretary
Michael S. Steele Maryland Geological Survey
Lt. Governor Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2300 Saint Paul Street,
580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 Baltimore, MD 21218-5210
Toll free in Maryland 1-877-620-8DNR Phone Number 410-554-5500
Outside of Maryland 1-410-260-8400 Fax 410-554-5502
http://www.dnr.Maryland.gov http://www.mgs.md.gov