October 23, 2013 – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the completion of the $16 million Baltimore Beltway project to improve the Wilkens Avenue Interchange. More than 100,000 commuters and travelers who use the west side of the Baltimore Beltway will be pleased to see the end of orange construction barrels at this heavily traveled interchange.
Wednesday afternoon, weather permitting, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will re-open the ramp from northbound I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) to eastbound MD 372 (Wilkens Avenue) as part of the last phase of work on the project to replace and widen the bridge carrying the inner loop of I-695 over Wilkens Avenue in Baltimore County.
“This project is another important infrastructure investment in safer and well-maintained roads and bridges that are critical to driving our economy, supporting jobs and serving our communities and educational institutions,” said Governor O’Malley. “The investments we make today ensure that we leave our children and grandchildren with a viable transportation network for continued prosperity and quality of life in the future.”
In addition to commuters and local residents, students will directly benefit from this project by having a safer commute to the University of Maryland / Baltimore County and The Community College of Baltimore County / Catonsville. The two-year project supported nearly 200 jobs. The inner loop of I-695 at the Wilkens Avenue interchange carries 101,000 vehicles per day and is projected to carry 123,900 vehicles per day by 2030.
“The completion of this project is a welcome relief for area residents and travelers,” said Senator Edward Kasemeyer. “The new bridge and improved interchange will enhance safety and better serve this busy corridor.”
The Wilkens Avenue Interchange Project included the following bridge and highway improvements:
• Replacement of the bridge (the original I-695 bridge was built in 1957 and widened in 1963. The new bridge is three feet higher and approximately 30 feet wider to accommodate possible future expansion of I-695);
• Reconstruction of the I-695 inner loop ramp to eastbound Wilkens Avenue;
• Installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Wilkens and Kenwood avenues;
• Resurfacing the I-695 inner loop and within the interchange area;
• Reconstruction of curb, gutter and sidewalks on Wilkens Avenue;
• Improvements to drainage and stormwater management systems; and
• Installation of new landscaping / tree plantings.
Contractor crews from the Six-M Company will remain in the interchange area this fall to complete landscaping and final pavement work.
The new northbound I-695 bridge over Wilkens Avenue resembles the southbound I-695 bridge over Wilkens Avenue, which was replaced in 2004 as part of SHA's project to widen southbound I-695 between MD 144 (Frederick Road) and I-95. SHA is replacing the bridge carrying Frederick Road over I-695. This $15.7 million project began spring 2011 and will be complete spring 2014.
The bridge project over Frederick Road also makes it possible to widen the Baltimore Beltway near Frederick Road in the future. In May, Governor O’Malley announced $86 million in construction funds to widen I-695 outer loop from US 40 to MD 144. This project and other future Baltimore Beltway projects are made possible thanks to the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, including:
- $29 million in construction funds to make safety improvements on I-695 at the Harford Road interchange in Baltimore County; and
- $60 million in construction funds to improve traffic flow on I-695 at Leeds Avenue and replace two bridges in this vicinity in Baltimore County.
The Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013 allows Maryland to activate long-term strategies to invest in transportation systems. The State is putting people back to work in the transportation industry with $4.4 billion in new investments in the next six years. The investments will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and provide Maryland with the transportation infrastructure necessary to grow and prosper for decades to come.
The Maryland Department of Transportation’s draft six-year transportation plan, known as the Consolidated Transportation Program, provides a full list of the new projects funded by the Transportation Act.
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