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March 2, 2010

How will I-95 ramp closing affect you?

With the northbound Interstate 95 ramp to Russell Street about to close for two weeks, commuters into downtown Baltimore from the south can expect 10 working days of mind-numbing backups as two exits worth of traffic squeezes onto Interstate 395.

The Maryland Transportation Authority is closing the ramp starting Saturday and continuing through March 20 so that BGE can perform maintenance work on a natural gas pipeline.

If you will be affected by the closure and would like to talk to a Sun reporter about how you plan to cope with it, please send an email with phone number to michael.dresser@baltsun.com or call 410-332-6175 Tuesday morning.

 

Posted by Michael Dresser at 5:00 AM | | Comments (5)
Categories: On the roads
        

Comments

There is a critical need to fix the potholes and rough road surfaces on Conway between I 395 and Charles. Both east and west bound lanes are pocked with numerous potholes and missing macadam. There is a hole in the east bound lane of Conway at Sharp that sports a small pylon taking our the right lane. If traffic need to more better during this time, the city needs to dispatch some crews pronto. Will they? Hmm.

The I-395/MLK/Russell St. triple-exit-combo is often faster than taking Exit 52 to Russell St (read: less lights). You can make a left or right from Lee St. to get on Russell NB or SB. However, with the Orioles season starting, the Russell St. exit off I-395/MLK will be closed during games. The best alternative may be taking I-395/MLK to Pratt, and Pratt to Greene/Russell SB. Washington Blvd is another viable option, but requires knowledge of the exit and foresight to take it.

Punt!!!

One option is to pass Russell Street and I 395. Exit at Key Highway, following it into the city. (Careful. If you miss Key Highway, you're in the tunnel.)
If the backup makes that impractical, take the BW Parkway, exit at Waterview Avenue and take it to Hanover Street (T intersection at Harbor Hospital). There's one tricky intersection, so watch the street signs carefully immediately after exiting.

I'm just gonna use my leave time.

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About Michael Dresser
Michael Dresser has been an editor, reporter and columnist with The Sun longer than Baltimore's had a subway. He's covered retailing, telecommunications, state politics and wine. Since 2004, he's been The Sun's transportation writer. He lives in Ellicott City with his wife and travel companion, Cindy.

His Getting There column appears on Mondays. Mike's blog will be a forum for all who are interested in highways, transit and other transportation issues affecting Baltimore, Maryland and the region.
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