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Prepare for Traffic Delays as Major I-795 Work Begins
Lane closures start Friday for the $9.2 million project, which includes repairs between I-695 and Owings Mills Boulevard.
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin two projects to repair concrete and upgrade infrastructure on Interstate 795, an SHA press release said.
The SHA will repair concrete on I-795 between the I-695 interchange and Owings Mills Boulevard. It will also upgrade traffic barriers, repair storm drain systems, resurface ramps at the Owings Mills Boulevard interchange and install new pavement markings, the press release said.
The project costs $9.2 million and should be complete in the fall of 2013, weather permitting.
The SHA is advising motorists to plan for extra travel time and use Reisterstown Road as an alternative route. Rush hour commuters may be effected by single lane closures in both directions on I-795 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and single and double lane closures between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday.
Starting Friday, April 20, there will be single lane weekend closures on I-795 between 7 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday. There may be double lane closures on weekends between 11 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and between midnight Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. There may be ramp closures and detours on weeknights between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and on weekends between 7 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
On four weekends between June 15 and August 20, there will double lane closures northbound on I-795 between 10 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday. Those closures will be announced in advance. There will be no lane closures due to construction during Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day holidays.
Motorists seeking additional information can call the SHA’s District 4 office at 410-321-2420 or 1-800-962-3077. Traveler information can be obtained by calling 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or by visiting www.md511.org.
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Scott Brenner
10:57 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
I'm glad this is happening but is this going to do anything to actually revitalize the area? It's cleaning up the area around the now-dead mall and metro station, hopefully the next step is to actually bring shops that people actually want to drive to in the vicinity.
Trixie Leigh
5:06 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
What they really need to do is widen the area as well. What a bottle neck in the AM!
Carol Yates
11:02 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
It would be nice if when the re-line the ramp from inner loop to 795 they fix it like they did the inbound ramp. It forces the right exit-only lane to the right which has proven to improve the flow and reduce accidents. It is a no-additional cost improvement and logical, so we'll see ...
jag
8:46 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Great timing. The beltway south at Liberty Rd & Wilkens Av is under construction. I 83 is now under construction with lane closures and now they are doing the same to 795. With the weather turning warm, why not do all this work at night which would have little impact on the traveling public.
Adam Thomas
11:26 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The whole beltway system is a total mess of a parking lot, almost 24/7. SHA does absolutely nothing to fix it. They waste money on all these little side projects rather than tackling the areas that actually cause the problems. (795, 70, 83, 95, and so on). These areas have been bottlenecks for over 20 years and nothing has been done to fix it. SHA sucks.
Zoobie
5:38 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
What's really needed is an EL (Elevated Transport) such as seen in the Chicago area. If it were constructed completely around I-695 with Park and Rides at every existing Exit, and improved Bus Routing to and from the Park and Rides, the Beltway would be a breeze for remaining traffic. With no more room for lane expansion around the loop, I believe an EL is a viable alternative.
As for I-795, why not expand to Four lanes in both directions, and put Asphalt down over the 'Rough Concrete' for a smoother ride. And, why not start using the "Shredded Rubber Tire Mix" of Asphalt, which is quieter and more durable than the present mix? It's also easier to repair when the need occurs. This isn't a new idea, but the 'Asphalt Lobby' doesn't like it. This would solve the Used Tire problem in Maryland, and the technology allready exists to separate the rubber and steel belts in used tires. What a boon for the environment !!!
Rich G
8:09 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
I read this comment and laughed because a few months ago my brother from Arizona was visiting and a few months prior I was visiting him. When I was out there I actually commented on how smooth and quiet the roads were. Then when he was out here I asked him what he thought about 795 as I rolled down the windows which makes it almost impossible to hear anything, he said the reason is because they have rubber in the asphalt in AZ.
Needless to say if they can do that here I hope it something they consider but I wonder if the cold weather has a significant impact on that product..
Bruce Nolte
10:30 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
All things considered, widening 795 won't really help, the real bottleneck is the Beltway. Things may improve a little when the Liberty Road construction is complete, but I am afraid the elephant in the room is the I-70 interchange to Route 40. work is already underway to widen the Outer Loop from 40 to Frederick Road, but as I watch the girders rust and concrete spall on the Triple Bridges, I shudder to think of the traffic nightmares and expense when that all has to be redone. Hopefully I will be retired by then. A basic mistake in planning was made when the whole Liberty Road/795 corridor is primarily bedroom communities, while the major employment centers are in Woodlawn and down by BWI. This is the real reason the Beltway will always be a nightmare.