Two-Lane Ramp to Close 8 a.m. Saturday, December 10, to 5 a.m. Monday, December 12; Traffic to be Redirected to Signed Detour
(December 7, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will shift traffic and close a ramp this coming weekend – from 8 a.m. Saturday, December 10, to no later than 5 a.m. Monday, December 12 – along northbound I-97 just north of West Furnace Branch Road, prior to I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) in northern Anne Arundel County. The shift is required to allow crews to safely complete underground pipe replacement work.
Starting 8 a.m. Saturday, MDOT SHA will temporarily close the two-lane flyover ramp from northbound I-97 to westbound I-695 (Baltimore Beltway/Towson). During the closure, drivers will be detoured to use the northbound I-97 on-ramp to MD 648 (Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard), then to westbound I-695 to continue west. To avoid the area during the work, drivers are encouraged to use MD 2 (Governor Ritchie Highway), MD 295 (Baltimore-Washington Parkway), I-95 and US 1 (Washington Boulevard) as alternate routes.
Weather permitting, all I-97 mainline work will be completed by 5 a.m. Monday. Once crews complete the pipe replacement in areas that impact the main northbound I-97 travel lanes, crews will open the lanes and continue work behind concrete barrier wall along the right shoulder.
MDOT SHA contractors Brawner Builders and Maryland Environmental Service will use electronic signs, roadway signs, cones and barrels to alert motorists about lane closures and any traffic stoppages along northbound I-97.
Customers who have questions may contact the MDOT SHA District 5 Office at 410-841-1000 or toll-free at 1-800-331-5603.
Maryland’s Move Over Law requires motorists to make a lane change or slow down when approaching any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying hazard warning lights, road flares or other caution signals. The expanded law is in place to protect emergency responders and motorists who encounter a roadside emergency.
Motorists in need may dial #77 on their mobile device for roadside assistance.
For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to
Project Portal. Visit our homepage at
roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to
md511.maryland.gov.
Editor’s Note
From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders. MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.