(January 14, 2014) – As part of its bridge maintenance program, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a $364,000 project to make routine repairs to the bridge carrying I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) over Joppa Road in Baltimore County. The bridge is located between exit 29, MD 542 (Loch Raven Boulevard) and exit 30, MD 41 (Perring Parkway).  

 

Crews will repair concrete on the I-695 Bridge over Joppa Road in two phases, beginning along the eastbound side of Joppa Road first, then along the westbound side.  Joppa Road will remain open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during bridge work; pedestrian access along Joppa Road will be maintained on the opposite side of the active work area. 

 

Weather permitting, crews will install work zone barriers, set up bridge scaffolding and traffic lane shifts along Joppa Road beginning Thursday, January 16 at 9 a.m.; repair work will begin once the work zone set up is complete.  The speed limit within the work zone on Joppa Road will be reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph during the bridge repair work, which should be complete late March.   

 

During bridge repair work, crews will temporarily close lanes and sidewalks and shift traffic along Joppa Road in the vicinity of the bridge.  Contractor crews may work on the bridge at any time between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday – Friday with some work taking place on Saturdays if necessary.  All four through lanes on Joppa Road will remain open during peak travel hours, with single-lane closures during off-peak hours; however, the center turn lane between Quentin Avenue and Jenifer Road will be closed 24 hours a day for the safety of workers and motorists.  Please plan for extra travel time along this section of Joppa Road, slow down in the work zone and look ahead for construction crews and pedestrians in the work zone.

 

The work is being done in cooperation with the Baltimore County Department of Public Works, which owns and operates Joppa Road.  SHA, Baltimore County and the contractor, Brawner Builders, Inc. of Hunt Valley appreciate your patience and cooperation during the bridge repair project.  Citizens with questions about the repairs to the I-695 Bridge over Joppa Road may contact the SHA Office of Structures in Baltimore toll-free at 1-888-375-1084.

 

SHA and the contractor will use construction traffic barriers, construction cones, and flashing arrow boards to guide motorists through the bridge work zone.  As crews strive to keep work zones safe, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert – look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones. For Everyone!