As Baltimore braces for the back-to-school flurry, the absence of the I-695 Key Bridge looms over the city, threatening to transform the daily grind into a slog for many commuters. With local schools gearing up for the academic year, drivers are being advised to anticipate longer rush hours, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
The MDTA's recent campaign, aiming to prep travelers for the increased traffic on I-95 & I-895, forewarns of heaviest congestion typically from 6 to 10 am and 4 to 6 pm Monday through Thursday, and with a slight shift on Fridays between 7 to 9 am and 2 to 6 pm for the southbound side, while northbound delays run from 2-7 pm Monday-Thursday and from noon to 7 pm Fridays, WMAR2 News reported.
To ease the transition into a bridgeless commute landscape, the MDTA has introduced a new web resource aptly titled “Harbor Crossings”. It consolidates commuting essentials and alternative transport options, seeking to ease the gridlock by encouraging ridesharing and public transit usage. The initiative includes an infographic detailing when delays can be expected through the I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel and I-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, guiding drivers to possibly reschedule their commutes outside of peak congestion times, according to MDTA news release.
Commuters can stay informed by signing up for email alerts and following MDTA on social media for real-time updates, a crucial element in developing nimble navigation strategies during this infrastructural transition period.
