(February 20, 2014) – Traffic patterns will change slightly this month on I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between Exit 18 (Milford Mill Road) and Exit 19 (I-795) in western Baltimore County as preparations begin for bridge reconstruction. Motorists may encounter temporary single-lane and double-lane closures on I-695 during the overnight hours Sunday night, February 23 and Monday night, February 24 to allow crews to place concrete barrier walls along the left side of the highway.  The barriers will close the shoulders to traffic and create a temporary work zone in the Beltway median for the upcoming $25 million State Highway Administration (SHA) project to replace the I-695 Bridge over Milford Mill Road.

“SHA and the contractor will close the left shoulders and slightly shift the travel lanes on the I-695 inner and outer loops between Liberty Road and I-795 to create a safe work zone for construction and utility crews and motorists,” said SHA District 4 Engineer David Peake.  “Please drive with caution and look ahead for the new highway work zone. Extra care is needed when traveling through construction areas.” 

This winter, crews will perform utility work, site clearing and other tasks along the inner loop and outer loop of I-695 to prepare for major bridge construction.  Beginning early spring and continuing through spring 2016, SHA’s contractor, American Infrastructure of Fallston, will remove and replace the entire bridge carrying I-695 over Milford Mill Road.  During the project there will be traffic shifts and construction activities, however, SHA will keep all lanes of I-695 open to traffic during morning and evening rush hours. There may be temporary lane closures along I-695 and Milford Mill Road at any other time of the day or night.

SHA’s project includes resurfacing the pavements on I-695 and Milford Mill Road in the vicinity of the bridge, and construction of new 5-foot sidewalks and lighting on Milford Mill Road underneath the bridge.  As part of the project, SHA will replace the sound wall along northbound I-695 (inner loop) between Milford Mill Road and I-795 (Northwest Expressway).  For more information about the project as construction progresses, click here or search “Milford Mill Road” at www.roads.maryland.gov.

SHA built the I-695 Bridge over Milford Mill Road in 1961 and widened it in 1968 and 1979.  While the bridge is structurally safe for travel, it is nearing the end of its useful life.  The new bridge will be similar in appearance to the new I-695 Bridge over MD 26 (Liberty Road), completed in 2012.  The new bridge will be wider to allow for future additional lanes on I-695 and will be complete spring 2016, weather permitting.

To enhance work zone safety and protect construction crews, drivers and passengers, the I-695 / Milford Mill Road project will be part of the Maryland SafeZones program.  This automated speed enforcement program has proven to deter excessive speeding and prevent crashes in work zones. Maryland SafeZones is a joint program of the Maryland State Police (MSP), Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) and SHA.  It uses photography and laser technology for automated speed enforcement and an MSP trooper or MDTA officer certifies all violations.

Large traffic signs in advance of the work zones alert drivers of automated speed enforcement use.  A radar-equipped digital sign will alert drivers of the 55 mph work zone speed limit and display vehicle speeds. Weather permitting, SafeZones will install the new signs and start deployment of vehicles equipped with cameras early March.  For the first three weeks, SafeZones will issue warnings to the registered owners of vehicles traveling 12 mph or more over the speed limit.  After the three-week warning period, SafeZones will issue $40 civil citations to the registered owners of vehicles identified speeding 12 mph or more.

The work zone on I-695 at Milford Mill Road will join the I-695/MD 144 (Frederick Road) interchange and the I-95/MD 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) work zones in Baltimore County and eight other work zones statewide actively using the automated speed enforcement technology.  SafeZones is safer for police officers as well as travelers than traditional enforcement in work zones where there are high speeds, reduced or no shoulders and changing traffic patterns.  To learn more about the Maryland SafeZones program, visit http://safezones.maryland.gov.

The I-695 Bridge replacement project was made possible with funding from the Transportation Infrastructure Investment 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 five 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.

While SHA and its partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert – look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don't follow too closely. Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones. For everyone!

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