The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital part of Baltimore’s I-695 Beltway, collapsed on March 26th following a cargo ship collision. This closure has severed the 51-mile loop, causing significant traffic disruptions and impacting thousands of commuters. This article explores the reasons behind the closure, its impact on traffic, and the solutions being implemented to mitigate the congestion.
Key Bridge Closure: A Ripple Effect on Baltimore Traffic
Before the collapse, approximately 39,000 vehicles relied on the Key Bridge daily. This traffic has now been diverted to alternative routes, primarily the I-95/Fort McHenry and I-895/Baltimore Harbor tunnels. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commute times on these routes have doubled or even quadrupled, significantly increasing travel times for many.
Bruce Gartner, Executive Director of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), confirmed these delays, stating that peak travel times have increased by 20 to 35 minutes. Gartner, a daily commuter himself, understands the frustrations faced by drivers.
Long-Term Solutions and Short-Term Mitigation Efforts
While the Key Bridge is scheduled for reconstruction and reopening in the fall of 2028, the MDTA is actively pursuing short-term solutions to alleviate current congestion. These efforts include:
- Re-channeling traffic: The northbound toll plaza at the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel has been reconfigured to optimize traffic flow and reduce merging conflicts.
- Reopening Broening Highway Access: On May 20th, the MDTA reopened access to Broening Highway via the I-695 turnaround, diverting some traffic from the heavily congested areas and providing relief to local roads. This reopening specifically benefits those traveling towards Tradepoint Atlantic and Sparrows Point.
Addressing the Tunnel Bottleneck
The Fort McHenry Tunnel is now accommodating approximately 16,000 additional vehicles daily, while the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel has seen an increase of around 6,000 vehicles. To address this surge, the MDTA is planning construction to remove toll booths at the I-895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel bottleneck. This project is expected to commence next year. Richard Jaramillo, MDTA chief operating officer, assures commuters that while this construction will impact surrounding interchanges, it will not affect the tunnel itself.
Collaborative Approach to Traffic Relief
Beyond construction, the MDTA is advocating for a collaborative approach to alleviate congestion, urging employers to offer flexible work schedules and encouraging drivers to adjust their commute times, utilize traffic apps, and consider alternative transportation options like carpooling or ride-sharing services. Real-time traffic updates are available on the Maryland Department of Transportation website.
Increased Patrols and System Preservation
In response to a rise in collisions on alternative routes, the MDTA has adjusted patrol schedules to ensure faster incident response times. Furthermore, overnight construction projects are planned to maintain the tunnels and roadways, with updates on road closures available on the MDTA website and through GovDelivery. The MDTA is actively working towards selecting a vendor for the Key Bridge reconstruction by the end of the summer, having already issued a request for proposal.
The Key Bridge closure presents a significant challenge for Baltimore commuters, but through a combination of long-term infrastructure projects and short-term mitigation strategies, the MDTA, along with the cooperation of drivers and employers, is striving to alleviate the impact of this disruption.
