Construction, along with potential delays and detours, continues on the .
Two temporary ramps have been installed northbound Interstate 95 to westbound MD 43 (Exit 67B, White Marsh Boulevard), and southbound I-95 to eastbound MD 43 (Exit 67A, White Marsh Boulevard), according to a Maryland Transportation Authority release. They are expected to open at about 9 a.m. on June 27.
"Motorists should be aware that both ramp movements will change to traffic signal intersections; one new traffic signal and two right turn lanes will be at the ends of both ramps. The existing merge ramps will be closed. Portable electronic messaging signs along the exit ramps and White Marsh Boulevard will alert motorists of the new signalized intersections," the release stated.
Signals began flashing continuously on Monday, and are planned to continue flashing until the ramps open.
The ultimate goal of the project is to attach planned toll lanes to MD 43. When complete, drivers may travel on existing lanes of I-95 at no additional cost, or may use express lanes by paying a toll.
The White Marsh portion of the project comes at a $142.6 million cost and is expected to create 400 new jobs. The total project, which stretches from north of White Marsh along I-95 to south of the Interstate 895/Moravia Road interchange, comes at a $1.03 billion cost and is expected to be finished by 2014, according to the transportation authority.
Real-time traffic camera images of state roadways are available at mdta.maryland.gov. Travel information is also available by calling 511 or visiting md511.org.
How will this impact rush hour traffic in the area? Tell us what you think in the comments.
There are no merge lanes in those two instances. What are they thinking?
1. The volume of traffic will not decrease, it will just be eased from Harford County down to 695, by adding the toll lanes. Backups will be the worst in the evening rush from Harford County southward to 695 now. In the morning rush traffic backups will be worst from the city northward to 695. 2. All heavy traffic must eventually come together at the narrowest point (least lanes for travel). 3. The toll lane does not surpass the city heading south bound to DC. 4. Serious bottle-necking will start exactly where the toll lanes and regular lanes merge. From here north and south bound traffic will be horrendous as the lanes will need to merge together into less lanes (bottle neck). Example: Heading south and north bound on I95 below DC into VA; this is one of the worst backups in the nation daily. The HOV lanes are great to move traffic southward to Fredericksburgish and North to DC; but they have to all merge together at some point. These merge points cause huge slow downs and 10-20 mile backups daily. Its basic physics: You can have as much volume as you want in a cylinder or cone; but the volume can only come out as fast as the smallest point allows for volume to flow through. Traffic density can never be erased! Unless the housing developments in Harford County and Northeast Baltimore county stops... just saying.