(March 3, 2011-1:15 p.m.) – Tonight, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will close ALL lanes of the outer loop (westbound) I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) at MD 139 (Charles Street) at MIDNIGHT.  SHA will close a lane starting at 9 p.m. and two lanes at 10 p.m.  All travel lanes on the outer loop will re-open by 5 a.m. 

All outer loop I-695 traffic will be detoured through the Charles Street/Bellona Avenue Roundabout and back onto the outer loop I-695.  In addition to the temporary outer loop I-695 closure, the right ramp from northbound Charles Street to the outer loop will be closed at midnight.  SHA encourages motorists who plan to travel along northbound Charles Street to reach the outer loop to alternatively use Kenilworth Avenue to West Road to the York Road/Baltimore Beltway interchange.

SHA is temporarily closing the outer loop and ramp to continue work on the $38 million Charles Street/I-695 Bridge Replacement and Interchange Reconstruction Project.  Subsequent temporary total closures will occur later this spring and summer as crews install structural steel for the new Charles Street Bridge over I-695.

Motorists are urged to allow extra travel time and remember to slow down in work zones.  To learn more on the Charles Street Bridge Replacement project should log onto www.roads.maryland.gov and click on the “Projects” page.

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