BALTIMORE, MD—The next phase of the Maryland Transportation Authority’s $189 million Interstate 895 bridge replacement project will involve a change in traffic patterns beginning this month.

In November 2018, the MDTA began the I-895 Bridge Project to replace the 60-year-old bridge north of the Harbor Tunnel. Two-way traffic has been in place on the I-895 southbound bridge between the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and Boston/O’Donnell Street (Exit 11) while crews demolished and rebuilt the northbound bridge. In addition, the I-895 Holabird Avenue exit ramp (Exit 10) has been closed during for a full rebuild.

With those portions of the project complete, crews will implement a phased switchover of two-way traffic from the existing southbound bridge to the newly constructed northbound bridge beginning late February or early March. The rebuilt Holabird Avenue exit ramp also is anticipated to reopen during this transition. Once the switchover occurs, crews will begin demolishing and rebuilding the southbound bridge.

Motorists are encouraged to continue avoiding I-895 whenever possible and use I-95 and I-695 as alternate routes. Those who must use I-895 should stay alert and expect changing traffic patterns. The ongoing two-way operation – with one lane in each direction – will remain in effect until the new southbound bridge is complete in 2021.

Work also includes rehabilitating the Harbor Tunnel with repairs to the tunnel portal, approach ramps and walls, deck and tiles. This spring, the southbound bore of the Harbor Tunnel will close 24/7 for 60 days with two-way traffic operating in the northbound bore.

The bridge replacement project is expected to be complete summer 2021. The MDTA will continue updating motorists on changing traffic patterns via traffic advisories and social media and will utilize roadway messaging signs to alert drivers of ongoing traffic conditions.