A project on the Interstate 695 Beltline in Maryland is set to begin this week.
According to the Maryland Tranportation Authority (MDTA), various repairs and rehabilittion work will happen from the Broening Highway Interchange to just west of the Sparrows Point exit. The beltline will have one lane open at all times during construction.
Phase one of the project will include reducing traffic to one lane in each direction south of MD 157 and MD 151.
The construction includes replacing a section of pavement near the Peninsula Expressway underpass, repair of backwalls, repairs at six bridges across Bear Creek and the Tradepoint Atlantic Rilroad, drainage work, and pavement patching.
The MDTA said this is an essential project that's necessary to address settlement on I-695 that happened since it was widened to a multi-lane, median-divided highway in the 90s.
"Growth is good, change is good, (it) comes with inconvenience (but) it’s part of the life we live," said Chris Kazakos, owner of Pizza Roma on North Point Boulevard. "I come in before traffic, and I leave after traffic. At this point, it doesn’t inconvenience me, but I’m sure it (may be) an inconvenience for other people."
Rehabilitation work will also be completed for safety.
The project is expected to be completed by fall of 2025.
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Source: WBAL
