What:   

SHA will host an open house to update residents and commuters on a major bridge replacement project at the I-695 (Baltimore Beltway)/Wilkens Avenue (MD 372) interchange in southwestern Baltimore County. 
 
Next month, crews will begin a project to replace the 55-year old bridge carrying the four northbound lanes of I-695 (Beltway Inner Loop) over Wilkens Avenue.  

When:     

Tomorrow July 13, 2011, 5:30 - 7 p.m. 
Citizens may arrive at any time to view project display boards at their own pace and speak with project representatives.

Where:    

Halethorpe Elementary School Cafeteria
4300 Maple Avenue, Baltimore MD 21227 (near US 1)
 
Why:   

The I-695 Inner Loop bridge over Wilkens Avenue - built in 1956 and widened in 1963- is one of several bridges SHA is addressing under its aggressive system preservation program. Most of the bridges along I-695 are more than 50 years old, dating back to the original construction of the Baltimore Beltway.

 

In 2004, SHA replaced the I-695 Outer Loop bridge over Wilkens Avenue as part of its project to widen the Outer Loop of I-695 to four lanes between Frederick Road (MD 144) and I-95.  The new Inner Loop bridge will have the same design and appearance without any lane widening.

 

With the upcoming construction on I-695 at MD 372, SHA is managing three major bridge projects on the southwest side of I-695 including the
I-695 Inner and Outer Loop bridges over Liberty Road and the Frederick Road bridge over I-695.  SHA encourages citizens to attend the open house and learn about the project schedule, traffic shifts, temporary signal operations and bridge enhancements. 

 

The existing Inner Loop bridge over Wilkens Avenue will be demolished and replaced in three stages of construction work.  During construction, all four through lanes on I-695 Inner Loop and two through lanes on Wilkens Avenue will remain open during peak weekday travel hours.  The ramps from the Inner Loop to westbound and eastbound Wilkens Avenue will be closed and detoured at various times during construction.  SHA will install a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Wilkens Avenue and Kenwood Avenue to manage traffic during the alternating ramp closures.

 

Info:  

Citizens who have questions about bridge construction projects along
I-695 may contact SHA’s District Four Office at 410-229-2300, toll-free at 1-866-998-0367 or by email at shadistrict4@sha.state.md.us

 

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