Drivers Should Use Alternate Routes during Nighttime Construction to Avoid Delays; Maryland SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement Active in Several Locations

(December 2, 2015) – More than 180,000 people use the southwest side of the Baltimore Beltway each day and many experience frequent traffic delays during their commutes.  The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has several projects underway that will ultimately ease traffic congestion; until construction is complete, commuters should alter their routes to avoid construction or allow extra travel time, particularly at night. The major projects create three construction zones within nearly six miles of I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway) and US 40 (Baltimore National Pike).

The largest project is the $68 million widening of the I-695 outer loop between US 40 and MD 144 (Frederick Road), announced last week by Governor Larry Hogan. Although much of the work will be completed behind barrier wall, crews will need to close lanes at night between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays.  Crews may periodically close lanes Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.  The State’s contractor, Tutor Perini Corp. of New Rochelle, NY, should open the additional outer loop lane and complete the project by fall 2019, weather permitting. 

To enhance safety, SHA is replacing the median concrete barrier and guardrail on I-695 between I-895 and I-95. The $6 million project, which began late-summer, also includes replacing drainage pipes and inlets under I-695, as well as resurfacing and restriping the 1.2 mile section of the beltway.  Motorists can expect single, double and triple lane closures during off-peak and nighttime hours.  SHA’s contractor, Milani Construction of Washington D.C. should complete the project by fall 2016.

Additionally, SHA last fall began a project to replace bridges on the inner loop of I-695 over Benson and Leeds avenues/US 1 (Southwestern Boulevard)/Amtrak in Arbutus.  Traffic is shifted on the bridges and one of the two ramps from southbound I-95 to the inner loop of I-695 remains closed for construction.  The $57 million project will be complete fall 2017, weather permitting. 

To enhance the safety of motorists, as well as workers, Maryland State Police use  SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement in all three work zones. SafeZones will issue $40 civil citations to the registered owners of vehicles traveling 12 mph or more over the speed limit in the construction zone.  Each day, there will be no more than two SafeZones vehicles conducting enforcement (one on each loop) for the three projects.  Large traffic signs in advance of the work zones alert drivers of speed camera use.  A radar-equipped digital sign alerts drivers of the 55 mph work zone speed limit and displays vehicle speeds.

Citizens with questions about the I-695 projects may contact SHA’s District 4 Office - Construction Division at 410-229-2420, toll-free at 1-866-998-0367.

Always expect the unexpected, pay extra close attention and drive slowly through any work zone.   For the latest real-time travel information, log onto www.md511.org.