FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2015
Contact: Cheryl Sparks or Kelly Melhem
410-537-1017
CREWS CONTINUE WORK TO REPAIR BROKEN WATER LINE BELOW FORT MCHENRY TUNNEL (I-95)
Overnight Closures Scheduled in One Northbound & One Southbound Tube
BALTIMORE, MD - The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), which finances, operates and maintains the State's eight toll facilities, will continue repairs to the broken water line beneath the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) during off-peak overnight hours. Crews also will closely monitor repairs made last week to an underground sump pump and discharge line beneath the right tube (Bore 4). Both issues were caused by recent extremely cold temperatures, and neither impacts the structural integrity of the roadway or tunnel.
"This week, MDTA crews will continue repairs to the broken water line beneath both the northbound and southbound Fort McHenry Tunnel bores," said MDTA Executive Director Bruce W. Gartner. "As a proactive measure, crews also will be inspecting water lines beneath the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. To minimize the impact to traffic, we're coordinating this work with our regular overnight maintenance activities already scheduled in both tunnels."
During overnight closures of the Fort McHenry Tunnel (FMT), traffic will be directed through the northbound and southbound tubes that remain open. At the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (BHT), two-way traffic will operate in the open tube. Traffic volumes are low during the overnight period; however, delays still may occur. Motorists should follow overhead and portable electronic signs.
FMT closures currently are scheduled for:
- Monday through Thursday, March 2 - 5, from 7:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. the following morning - one southbound bore will close at 7:30 p.m., followed by one northbound bore at 9 p.m.;
- Friday and Saturday, March 6 - 7, from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following morning; and
- Sunday, March 8, from 7:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. the following morning.
BHT closures currently are scheduled for:
- Monday through Thursday, March 2 - 5, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following morning.
The bore closures are needed as a safety measure for crews working in confined spaces beneath the tunnel roadways and to allow for the staging of necessary equipment in the bores. Please note that additional temporary, off-peak closures may occur as necessary. The MDTA will issue traffic advisories if additional closures are scheduled.
The MDTA thanks motorists for their patience. To view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov. For real-time updates on major incidents follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/TheMDTA. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheMDTA.
###
EDITOR'S NOTE: MDTA Executive Director Gartner will hold media availability TODAY from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Please contact the MDTA Division of Communications for more information.
