Crews to set Steel Beams for the new Old Harford Road Bridge beginning October 14; Temporary Lane Closures and Traffic Stops Weeknights on I-695 between Exits 31 and 30

(October 9, 2015) – If you live or work near I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between Harford Road (MD 147) and Perring Parkway (MD 41) you’ve noticed that construction is moving forward on the $25.7 million project to widen I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) and replace the Old Harford Road Bridge over I-695.

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has scheduled late-night lane closures and traffic stops on eastbound and westbound (both loops) I-695 between the Harford Road and Perring Parkway interchanges (Exits 31 and 30) on weeknights (Sunday – Thursday) in mid- October.  The work will allow contractor crews to install steel beams for the new Old Harford Road Bridge over I-695. The existing Old Harford Road Bridge will remain open to traffic during the beam installation on the new bridge.

“We appreciate motorists’ and residents’ patience during construction and encourage drivers to use the Maryland 511 system for traffic information and allow extra travel time on I-695, especially at night,” says SHA Administrator Greg Johnson. “SHA will make every attempt to minimize traffic delays; however, SHA and the contractor must temporarily close lanes and ramps for the safety of motorists and highway workers.”

Beginning Wednesday night, October 14, crews will close a single lane on I-695 at 9 p.m., and two lanes at 10 p.m. on weeknights between Exit 31 and Exit 30.  At any time after 11 p.m. on weeknights, Maryland State Police (MSP) may stop all traffic for 15 minutes at a time while crews use large cranes to move steel beams into place over the travel lanes on I-695.  Traffic will not be allowed to drive under the beams as they are installed for safety reasons. After each beam is set in place, MSP will allow traffic to move through the bridge work zone.

The 15-minute stops may occur several times in one night. Crews will open all lanes on I-695 by 5 a.m. each day.  Weather permitting; the bridge beam installation will be complete before the last week of October.

Additionally, SHA will temporarily close and detour traffic on the interchange ramp from westbound I-695 to northbound Perring Parkway at Exit 30 between 10 p.m. Wednesday, October 14 and 5 a.m. Thursday, October 15 for overhead sign structure work. Motorists exiting westbound I-695 at Exit 31 will be directed through the cloverleaf interchange to reach northbound Perring Parkway.

 

Citizens with questions about the I-695 widening project may contact SHA’s District 4 Construction Division at 410-229-2420, toll-free at 1-866-998-0367.  Follow SHA on Twitter @MDSHA.  Maryland features FREE 511 traveler information! Call 511 or 1-800-3315603 or visit www.MD511.org for current travel information.

 

 

In four out of five work zone-related crashes, it is the driver or passenger who is injured or killed. In 2014, nine people lost their lives in Maryland work zone crashes, including four highway workers. While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to keep traffic safely moving in work zones, please partner with us because work zone safety is everyone’s business – slow down and stay alert. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.