MDOT: Use I-95, I-895 to get around closures from bridge collapse

BALTIMORE, Md. (DC News Now) — The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Tuesday has impacted regional traffic and redirected the daily commute of thousands of residents.

The Maryland State Highway Administration says drivers should prepare for a longer commute until further notice. The bridge stretched 1.6 miles across the Patapsco River, but the entire structure including the approaching roads comprise nearly 11 miles of Interstate 695. The collapse caused the closure of the highway’s southeast corridor.

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Drivers heading into the city should use either I-95, the Fort McHenry Tunnel or I-895, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, to travel north/south routes.

The Maryland Transport Authority says vehicles transporting hazardous materials, which includes propane over 10 lbs., are prohibited in tunnels. These vehicles are recommended to use the western section of I-695 between Essex and Glen Burnie to avoid the tunnels, a route which will add significant driving time.

The I-695 closure has forced the city to modify its truck routes and put detours in place.

The inner loop is closed at the Peninsula Expressway, Maryland 157, to allow more local traffic access to the roads. The outer loop is closed at Exit 1 (past the Curtis Creek Drawbridge), also known as Maryland 173.

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Portions of Fort Armistead Road and Hawkins Point Road, side roads which are close to the bridge, have been closed as well.

The Maryland Transportation Authority on X advised that heavy traffic will be present on I-95, I-895 and other sections of I-695 and warned drivers to exercise caution because of the rain expected to last through Thursday.

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