(July 30, 2013) – Approximately 200,000 drivers who travel the west side of the Baltimore Beltway will have a smoother, safer ride after the State Highway Administration (SHA) completes a $5 million improvement project.  SHA is resurfacing and upgrading two miles of I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between the interchanges at Exit 17 - MD 122 (Security Boulevard) and Exit 18 - MD 26 (Liberty Road) now through next summer.

Contractor crews began work at the site on July 14 and will continue working through summer 2014, weather permitting.  During the work, motorists may encounter temporary overnight single and double lane closures along I-695 Sunday through Thursday between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. the next morning.  In addition, motorists may encounter shoulder closures on I-695 Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and on Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.  This section of I-695 has an average daily traffic volume of up to 202,000 vehicles per day.

“Resurfacing the pavement along this heavily traveled portion of the Beltway will help prevent potholes and keep the ride smooth,” said District Engineer David Peake.  “The work will be performed during off-peak hours to minimize traffic impacts. We ask that drivers use extra caution in the construction zone for their own safety and for that of workers.”

The project includes: pavement patching, grinding and resurfacing; storm drain system cleaning and repairs; installing new metal guardrail and repairs to concrete barriers; curb and gutter reconstruction; and installing new pavement markings and new traffic signs.  SHA’s contractor for the project is P. Flanigan and Sons, Inc. of Baltimore.

This project was made possible with funding from the Transportation Infrastructure Invest​ment Act of 2013, which maintains crucial system preservation investments and allows Maryland to activate long-term strategies to invest in Maryland’s transportation systems. By putting people back to work in the transportation industry with $4.4 billion in new investments in the next six years, Maryland is creating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and providing Marylanders with the transportation infrastructure necessary to grow and prosper for decades to come.

Customers with questions about the I-695 resurfacing project or other construction projects on State highway routes in Baltimore County may call SHA’s District 4 Office at 410-229-2420, toll-free at 1-866-998-0367 or email: shadistrict4@sha.state.md.us.

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