Baltimore County is bracing for several weeks of overnight lane closures on the I-695 Beltway, affecting traffic from Thursdays through Sundays, according to CBS News Baltimore. The closures, which commenced on July 14, are part of ongoing work on the I-695 project, aiming to make much-needed improvements and ease congestion.
The Maryland State Highway Administration has outlined a schedule that sees lane closures starting from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Work on the inner loop began at I-70 towards I-83 and is forecasted to continue to affect the outer loop from Towson to Woodlawn. Drivers are advised to plan accordingly and, if possible, to preemptively detour using I-895 and I-95 while these disruptions occur. Will Pines, Maryland State Highway Administrator, recommended in a statement as reported by WBAL-TV, "to avoid the areas and use I-895 and I-95" during the night hours when the work is happening.
The necessity of the project is clear, it aims to reduce the strain on I-695 between I-70 and Maryland Route 43/White Marsh Boulevard by converting existing medians and shoulders into usable travel lanes. Motorists are feeling the impact, as multiple lanes close incrementally throughout the night - one lane at 8 p.m., followed by a second at 10 p.m., and a third lane at 11 p.m., as detailed by both sources.
Additionally, there's more work scheduled south of the Beltway near the I-95/I-695 interchange. This is part of the Ten Bridges Rehabilitation project, set to commence on July 21, which will introduce triple lane closures in the evenings. The purpose of this refurbishment is to adequately maintain and improve major ramps and crossings along the I-95 and I-695 corridors, including but not limited to the I-695 outer loop ramps and various I-95 cross sections over I-695 and Sulphur Spring Road.
