New Auxiliary Lanes Between Harford Road and Perring Parkway Relieve Congestion and Enhance Driver Safety on Section of Baltimore Beltway

(July 18, 2017) – The Hogan Administration today announced the completion of the highway widening, bridge replacement and interchange reconstruction project on I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between MD 41 (Perring Parkway) and MD 147 (Harford Road) in Baltimore County.  The $32 million project started spring 2014.

Weather permitting, this week, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will open the new continuous auxiliary lane on the outer loop of I-695 this week and open the new inner loop lane next week.  The new lanes will break a long-standing bottleneck on I-695 and provide drivers a longer distance to merge on and off the I-695 between Harford Road and Perring Parkway.  

“This project brings to completion one of the State’s four major projects to reduce traffic congestion, replace aging bridges and enhance safety on I-695,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “These much-needed enhancements address long-standing issues in Baltimore County and will allow for a faster and safer commute for the tens of thousands of citizens who travel this essential highway every day.”

 
The project also included replacing the Old Harford Road Bridge over I-695.  The new bridge is 85 feet longer and nearly four feet higher to accommodate both the new auxiliary lanes and possible future beltway widening.  The bridge deck (riding surface) was constructed to allow for bicycle traffic and pedestrians will enjoy new five-foot sidewalks in both directions. 

MDOT SHA also relocated the original cloverleaf interchange ramp movement from eastbound I-695 (inner loop) to northbound Harford Road to eliminate an interchange traffic weave on both eastbound I-695 and on northbound Harford Road.  Crews opened the new ramp to traffic September 2, 2016.

“Every day, more than 161,000 vehicles travel on I-695 between Perring Parkway and Harford Road and we expect that number to increase to 181,000 vehicles per day by 2035,” said State Highway Administrator Gregory Slater. “We appreciate motorists’ patience during construction as we work hard to ease congestion.”

MDOT SHA’s contractor for the I-695 project in Parkville was The Six-M Company of Delta, PA.  

While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver need to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.  Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands.

Maryland drivers can also know before they go by calling 511 or visiting www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and lane closures.