Baltimore Harbor Tunnel I-895 All Electronic (Cashless) Tolling

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) began all-electronic tolling (AET) construction work in Summer 2024 at the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895) toll plaza. With AET, there’s no slowing or stopping to pay tolls. Instead, motorists pay tolls at highway speed via E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate or Video Tolling. Benefits include increased safety, less engine idling and better fuel efficiency.

AET conversion at the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel will result in removal of the existing toll plaza south of the tunnel portal. New overhead toll gantries will be constructed on the Childs Street ramps and on the I-895 mainline, just north of the tunnel. The remainder of the work is part of a larger I-895 at Frankfurst Avenue Interchange Improvements Project, which includes modifications to the existing interchange ramps to accommodate highway-speed tolling, replacement of the I-895 bridges over Frankfurst Avenue and Childs Street, a new traffic signal at the Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center and the realignment of the Frankfurst Avenue and Shell Road intersection to provide safer access to northbound I-895.

The Project will be completed in three phases. The removal of the existing toll plaza will be part of Phase 3, which is anticipated to occur after completion of the Key Bridge. 

During construction, motorists must obey the posted speed limit, avoid distractions and watch for crews and construction equipment in the work zone. 

The completion of this project will signify the final conversion of toll plazas under the MDTA jurisdiction to highway-speed AET.

The AET implementation schedule is as follows:

August 2024 – Summer 2025: 

• Construct new toll gantry on I-895 north of the Harbor Tunnel
• Construct new toll gantries on the access ramps from Childs Street
• Begin electronic Toll Collection (August 2025) 

Proposed Overhead Toll Collection Gantries - Childs Street On and Off Ramps

Proposed Overhead Toll Collection Gantry - North of Harbor Tunnel

After completion of the Key Bridge:

• Remove the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel toll plaza and complete the interchange reconfiguration on mainline I-895
• Remove the Shell Road on-ramp to northbound I-895

Additional information:

• BHT AET Project Renderings
• I-895 at Frankfurst Avenue Interchange Improvement Projects