Construction on the portion of I-81 south of US 40 began in 1962 to fill a gap between the portion of I-81 in Maryland and the portion of the Interstate completed between West Virginia Route 9 (WV 9) near Martinsburg and US 11 southwest of Williamsport in West Virginia. MD 144's bridge over I-81 was constructed in 1963 once the relocated US 40 opened.
Construction started in 1962 to connect the parts of I-81 in Maryland and West Virginia, closing the gap between them. The bridge over MD 144 on I-81 was completed in 1963 after the new route of US 40 was established.