Charles Street Construction Update – Bellona Ave Entrance to 83 and 695 to be Closed April 4

The Charles Street construction project is about to cause more confusion and frustration beginning April 4, 2010.

Currently there are two avenues to get onto 695 West and 83 North. One is the ramp from Charles Street going north, the other is from the circle at Bellona Ave extended.

Beginning April 4, the ramp from Bellona Avenue extended will be closed long term.

The street will be open for the businesses located along there, including some medical offices, a real estate office, and the Greater Baltimore Board of REALTORS ®. Leaving those buildings to access 695 West and 83 North, motorists will have to head back to Charles Street South, go around the circle, to get to Seminary Avenue and then York Road, or they will head South on Charles St, turn right at Bellona, and head to Falls Rd to go West.

These are big changes for those familiar with the interchange, and a long way around for those leaving those office buildings.

Motorists heading north on Charles will still be able to access 695W and 83N from the right lane entrance ramp.

For those motorists on 695 West wanting to access 83 North must remain to the right, as according to the State Highway Administration website:

Along I-695, SHA also will shift the two lanes on the ramp from westbound I-695 to northbound I-83 to the far right side of the bridge so crews may work in the center section of the bridge.

The closure is expected to last about six months.

Ramp from Southbound Charles Street to I-695 East to be Closed on February 4, 2010

Charles Street traffic heading south from Lutherville in Towson will be hitting another snarl beginning Thursday night around 8 pm as the entrance to I-695 East will be closed long term as part of the ongoing Charles Street Overpass construction project.

This means cars coming south on Charles Street from Seminary Avenue or the circle at Bellona Avenue will not be able to make a left to enter the beltway going east.

From the State Highway Administration’s website:

The official ramp detour route: north/eastbound Bellona Avenue to eastbound MD 131 (Seminary Avenue) to southbound MD 45 (York Road) to the York Road Interchange ramp to eastbound I-695…

Temporary traffic signs will guide motorists through the official detour route in Lutherville and the ramp closure will remain in effect until early fall 2010.

So yes, this will be a big change for those traveling south on Charles Street from the circle & Seminary Avenue, but the long term benefits should much outweigh these inconveniences!

I-695 Eastbound to Have Lanes Split Between 83 and Charles Street in Towson

The I-695 Construction at Charles Street in Towson is going to make traffic a bit trickier starting around 8 pm on Sunday, December 20, 2009.

The Maryland State Highway Administration published a notice of this change on their website. Beginning Monday the 21st, Eastbound 695 will be three lanes going through from the I-83 North interchange and the Charles Street overpass. Towson residents who live off Charles Street need to note that they will have to stay in the right lane at the split in order to be able to exit.

Currently, there are four through lanes on I-695 E at Charles Street, so this will affect traffic tremendously. This will be the case through Spring 2010, so be prepared for delays when traveling in this area.

I also noted on the site that the entire project now is projected to be completed in 2012, instead of the Fall 2011 date originally planned.