(April 8, 2015) – Weather permitting, Tuesday morning on April 14 the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will permanently close the ramp from Leeds Avenue to northbound I-695 (Baltimore Beltway inner loop). The ramp closure is part of SHA’s major project to replace two aging bridges carrying the northbound lanes of I-695 over Benson Avenue, AMTRAK rail lines, US 1 (Southwestern Avenue) and Leeds Avenue. The project will also improve safety on I-695 and US 1 in Arbutus.  Currently, more than 202,000 vehicles travel along both directions of I-695 in this area, with traffic projected to increase to nearly 250,000 vehicles daily by 2030.

Once the Leeds Avenue ramp is closed, motorists traveling from Leeds Avenue and other points in Arbutus to the inner loop of I-695 will be diverted to a detour route using southbound US 1, northbound I-195, and northbound I-95 back to northbound I-695.

Motorists should expect both day and night single and double lane closures on I-695 and US 1. There will also be long-term lane shifts on I-695 and late-night traffic drags on US 1, Leeds Avenue and Benson Avenue during construction.

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In addition to this project, drivers may encounter mobile or short-term work zones.  Click here for a listing of major SHA projects.  Always expect the unexpected, pay extra close attention and drive slowly through any work zone. Whether it’s a tree trimming operation or a bridge project, be aware when orange is there: Think Orange (the color of construction equipment and signs), stay alert and slow down. Everyone is at risk.

In four out of five work zone-related crashes, it is the driver or passenger who is injured or killed. In 2014, nine people lost their lives in Maryland work zone crashes, including four highway workers. While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to keep traffic safely moving in work zones, please partner with us because work zone safety is everyone’s business – slow down and stay alert. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.