(December 8, 2011) – In an ongoing effort to improve work zone safety, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) today announced the addition of the I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) outer loop work zone, the MD 144 (Frederick Road) interchange in southwestern Baltimore County into the Maryland SafeZones program.  SHA is replacing the Frederick Road Bridge (Exit 13) over I-695. 

 

Speed enforcement cameras will be deployed on Tuesday, December 13.  The 21-day warning period will continue through Monday, January 2.  Citations will be issued starting Tuesday, January 3. The posted speed is 55 miles per hour through the work zone.

 

Maryland SafeZones is already in place along the inner loop of I-695 prior to Exit 12, the MD 372 (Wilkens Avenue) interchange located approximately one mile south of the Frederick Road interchange.   SHA is replacing the I-695 inner loop bridge over Wilkens Avenue.  The two interchange projects are considered one work zone, therefore there will be no more than one truck on site along the inner loop in this area.
 
ASE is now deployed at four work zones in Baltimore County: I-695 at Exit 25, the MD 139 (Charles Street) interchange; Exit 18, the MD 26 (Liberty Road) interchange; Exits 12 and 13, the Wilkens Avenue and Frederick Road interchanges, and on the Maryland Transportation Authority’s work zone on I-95 between I-695 and I-895.  There are a total of 10 work zones in Maryland actively using the automated speed enforcement technology.   

 

Maryland SafeZones joins SHA, Maryland State Police (MSP) and Maryland Transportation Authority Police (MdTA) in the statewide effort to improve highway safety.  Mobile enforcement vehicles continue to rotate among eligible work zones throughout the State.   Large signs are in place in advance of the work zones to alert drivers of automated speed enforcement use.  Crews also place a “speed trailer” to display the posted speed limit and drivers’ speeds in advance of the enforcement vehicle.  Speed cameras may be used to fine drivers exceeding the speed limit by 12 mph or more in work zones along controlled access roadways with a 45 mph or more speed limit. 

 

Four out of every five people injured or killed in work zone crashes are drivers or their passengers, not workers.   Even when workers are not present, work zones can be dangerous due to reduced lane width, barrier walls, uneven pavement and modified signage placement.  On average, 12 people are killed per year and approximately 1,500 people injured in crashes in work zones.

 

The fine for a speeding violation issued through the Maryland SafeZones program is $40.  Revenue collected from the civil fines will be used to cover the costs of implementing and administering the Maryland SafeZones program.  For more information on SHA’s I-695 bridge projects, visit the SHA projects webpage under “Programs and Studies” at www.roads.maryland.gov.  For more information on Maryland SafeZones, log onto www.safezones.maryland.gov.

 

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