Major Travel Delays Expected; Motorists Advised to Plan for Extra Travel Time between I-83 and York Road or Choose Alternative Routes           
          
(April 1, 2009) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) today announced traffic shifts and extended lane closure schedules for I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) demolition of one-half of the MD 139 (Charles Street) Bridge over I-695. SHA will extend the weeknight nightly lane closure hours on I-695 at the Charles Street interchange (Exit 25) for one month to expedite the demolition work and reduce night-time noise impacts to communities surrounding the interchange work zone.           
          
Beginning 8 p.m. Sunday, April 5, SHA will allow double lane closures along westbound I-695 (Outer Loop) Sunday – Thursday nights between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Along eastbound I-695 (Inner Loop), single lane closures will be permitted beginning at 8 p.m. with double lane closures at beginning at 9 p.m.           
          
Once the west side of the bridge is demolished by early May, the I-695 lane closure schedule will revert to single lane closures on eastbound and westbound I-695 between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday – Thursday, with double lane closures between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday – Thursday.           
          
Additionally, beginning Thursday night, April 2, SHA and its contractor, the Six-M Company of Delta, Pa. will institute a long-term change in traffic patterns at the Charles Street interchange to facilitate bridge work. On westbound I-695, crews will close off the auxiliary lane along westbound I-695 between the Charles Street Bridge and the ramp to Exit 27, I-83 North (Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway) until late spring. Crews will provide a merge lane for motorists using the loop ramp from northbound Charles Street to westbound I-695.           
          
This interchange currently carries more than 120,000 vehicles per day along I-695, with 55,000 vehicles per day along Charles Street. The Charles Street Bridge will remain open to traffic during construction; however, SHA has reduced the number of travel lanes on the bridge to one lane southbound and two lanes northbound to enhance safety for travelers and construction crews. The speed limit on I-695 is 50 mph in the work zone between Exit 24, MD 45 (York Road) and Exit 27, I-83 North (Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway).           
          
SHA strongly recommends all motorists to plan for extra travel time along I-695 and to consider alternative routes Sunday – Thursday nights during the month of April. Please buckle up, obey posted work zone speed limits, “think orange,” and stay alert in the work zone. Motorists can learn more about Maryland’s highway safety program by logging onto www.choosesafetyforlife.com.          
          
Citizens who have questions about traffic operations along I-695 and Charles Street may call the project field office at 410-296-9041 or SHA’s District 4 Office at 410-321-2800 or toll free at 1-800-962-3077. Citizens may view the I-695/Charles Street project web page on SHA’s website, www.marylandroads.com. Click “Current Construction Projects” on the home page menu to reach the SHA Projects Page.           
          
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