I-895 at Frankfurst Avenue Interchange Improvements Project
January 2025 Informational Open House
On January 25, 2025, The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is holding an Informational Open House for the I-895 at Frankfurst Avenue Interchange Improvements Project and the proposed closures of railroad crossings in and around Old Pennington Avenue and Vera Street. This project will complete MDTA’s conversion of toll plazas to highway speed all-electronic tolling, reconfigure the access points to I-895, and replace/rehabilitate the aging infrastructure.
The proposed improvements will enhance safety for motorists, foster economic growth, reduce congestion and emission-related pollution and bring MDTA assets into a state of good repair.
Informational Open House attendees will be able to:
- learn about the project and its benefits for commuters and local communities,
- learn about the construction phases and timeline,
- learn about traffic impacts during construction,
- learn about the proposed railroad crossing* closures associated with the project, and
- sign up for project alerts.
There will be no formal presentation; however, the project team will be available to answer questions during the Informational Open House.
- Public Meeting Boards (PDF Download)
The Informational Open House will be held:
January 25, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(Snow Date) February 1, 2025
Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center
201 Reedbird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21225
*Comments for the proposed railroad crossing closure can be provided on comment forms available at the Informational Open House and on the project website or by calling or emailing the project team by February 28, 2025.
Meeting location is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require auxiliary aids should contact the MDTA at 410-537-5675 (711 for MD Relay) or email I895tollplaza@mdta.maryland.gov no later than three business days before the Open House.
OVERVIEW
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) in coordination with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is advancing the I-895 at Frankfurst Avenue Interchange Improvements project in Baltimore City. This project will replace the existing toll plaza south of the tunnel portal with highway-speed all electronic tolling (AET). The project represents the final conversion of toll plazas under MDTA’s jurisdiction to AET. In addition, the project includes modification of the existing interchange ramps to accommodate highway speed tolling, replacement of 70-year-old I-895 bridges over Frankfurst Avenue and Childs Street, and realignment of the intersection at Frankfurst Avenue and Shell Road to provide safer northbound access to I-895. The project will provide safety benefits for motorists, bring heavily used MDTA highway assets into a state of good repair, and reduce congestion, emissions, and other air pollution.
This project will be delivered in three phases:
Phase 1: Toll Gantry Relocation: This phase will relocate the existing tolling infrastructure away from the physical toll booths to be prepared for Phases 2 and 3. Work will involve pavement reconstruction on the I-895 ramps at Childs Street and establishing new tolling infrastructure using on-call contractors. New toll gantries will be constructed on the Childs Street ramps and on the I-895 mainline, just north of the tunnel. Construction is ongoing and the anticipated completion date will be the summer of 2025.
Proposed Overhead Toll Collection Gantries - Childs Street On and Off Ramps
Proposed Overhead Toll Collection Gantry - North of Harbor Tunnel
Phase 2: Frankfurst Avenue Reconfiguration: This phase will include the reconstruction of Frankfurst Avenue, the reconfiguration of Frankfurst Avenue and Shell Road intersection, the consolidation of southbound I-895 off ramps to Frankfurst Avenue, and the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Frankfurst Avenue and the Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center. Design is underway and advertisement for construction is anticipated to be winter of 2025. Construction is anticipated to begin fall/winter of 2026. During construction, Frankfurst Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction with minimal traffic impacts to I-895. Overnight lane closures on I-895 are anticipated for the erection of new signage.
Phase 2 Interim Condition
Phase 3: Final I-895 Bridge Replacement and Configuration: This phase will remove the existing toll plaza, replace the 70-year-old bridges over Frankfurst Ave and Childs Street, and complete the interchange reconfiguration on the mainline of I-895. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2029, after the new Francis Scott Key Bridge is open to traffic.
Phase 3 Final Condition
PROJECT INFORMATION
- Cardin, Van Hollen, Moore Announce $80 Million for Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Improvements - January 12, 2024
- I-895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Toll Plaza and Interchange Improvements Project - Fact Sheet February 2024 (PDF Download)
- I-895 Industry Forum - Event Flyer July 2023 (PDF Download)
- I-895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Toll Plaza and Interchange Improvements Project - Virtual Public Meeting Flyer December 2020 (PDF Download)
- I-895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Toll Plaza and Interchange Improvements Project – Press Release December 2020
- I-895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Toll Plaza and Interchange Improvements Project – Frequently Asked Questions December 2020 (PDF Download)
Anticipated Construction Schedule
- August 2024 Phase 1 Begins
- Phase 1
- Toll Gantry Relocation
- Winter/Spring 2025 FSK Construction Begins
- Summer 2025 Phase 1 Complete
- Fall/Winter 2026 Phase 2 Begins
- Phase 2
- Frankfurst Avenue Reconstruction
- Southbound I-895 Exit Ramp Consolidation
- Signalization of Frankfurst Ave. and Shell Road
- Signalization of Frankfurst Ave. and Masonville Cove
- Fall 2028 FSK Bridge Reopens
- Winter 2028 Phase 2 Complete
- 2029 Phase 3 Begins
- Phase 3
- Toll Plaza Removal
- Reconfiguration of I-895
- Removal of Shell Road Ramp to Northbound I-895
- 2031 Phase 3 Complete
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
January 2025 Informational Open House
On January 25, 2025, The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is holding an Informational Open House for the I-895 at Frankfurst Avenue Interchange Improvements Project and the proposed closures of railroad crossings in and around Old Pennington Avenue and Vera Street. This project will complete MDTA’s conversion of toll plazas to highway speed all-electronic tolling, reconfigure the access points to I-895, and replace/rehabilitate the aging infrastructure.
The proposed improvements will enhance safety for motorists, foster economic growth, reduce congestion and emission-related pollution and bring MDTA assets into a state of good repair.
Informational Open House attendees will be able to:
- learn about the project and its benefits for commuters and local communities,
- learn about the construction phases and timeline,
- learn about traffic impacts during construction,
- learn about the proposed railroad crossing* closures associated with the project, and
- sign up for project alerts.
There will be no formal presentation; however, the project team will be available to answer questions during the Informational Open House.
- Public Meeting Boards (PDF Download)
The Informational Open House will be held:
January 25, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(Snow Date) February 1, 2025
Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center
201 Reedbird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21225
*Comments for the proposed railroad crossing closure can be provided on comment forms available at the Informational Open House and on the project website or by calling or emailing the project team by February 28, 2025.
Meeting location is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require auxiliary aids should contact the MDTA at 410-537-5675 (711 for MD Relay) or email I895tollplaza@mdta.maryland.gov no later than three business days before the Open House.
DECEMBER 2020 VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING
A Virtual Public Meeting was held for the project on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Meeting attendees learned about the project purpose and need, proposed project improvements and how they address the purpose and need, potential project impacts and mitigation, and anticipated project schedule. The meeting included a video presentation (provided below), followed by a question and answer period.
I-895 BHT Toll Plaza and Interchange Improvements Video_2020-12-07 from TheMDTA on Vimeo.
I-895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Toll Plaza and Interchange Improvements Project Virtual Public Meeting – Script (PDF Download)
DECEMBER 2020 VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING SLIDES
- I-895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Toll Plaza and Interchange Improvements Project - Virtual Public Meeting Video Presentation Slides December 16, 2020 (PDF Download)
- Board 1 Welcome (PDF Download)
- Board 2 Project Introduction and Overview (PDF Download)
- Board 3 Project Area & Existing Roadway Conditions (PDF Download)
- Board 4 Project Purpose (PDF Download)
- Board 5 Project Needs (PDF Download)
- Board 6 Proposed Improvements (PDF Download)
- Board 7 Addressing the Purpose and Need I (PDF Download)
- Board 8 Addressing the Purpose and Need II (PDF Download)
- Board 9 Environmental Evaluation (PDF Download)
- Board 10 Environmental Features & Agency Coordination I (PDF Download)
- Board 11 Environmental Features & Agency Coordination II (PDF Download)
- Board 12 Anticipated Project Schedule (PDF Download) (see revised timeline above)
- Board 13 Your Feedback is Requested! (PDF Download)
- Board 14 Title VI Compliance (PDF Download)
- Board 15 How To Stay Connected (PDF Download)
JULY 2023 INDUSTRY FORUM
Please note: As of October 2024, this project is no longer utilizing the Design-Build procurement method.
On July 19th, 2023, MDTA held an Industry Forum for the I-895 at Frankfurst Avenue Interchange Improvements Project. At the Forum, companies interested in working on this design-build project heard more about the project characteristics, procurement schedule and process from MDTA. Attendees also had the opportunity to network with companies looking for teaming partners.
- I-895 at Frankfurst Avenue Interchange Improvements Project Presentation July 2023 (PDF Download)
- List of Attendees and Registrants July 2023 (PDF Download)
- I-895 Industry Forum Flyer July 2023 (PDF Download)
- Special Public Meetings Page July 2023
TITLE VI COMPLIANCE
What Is Title VI?
-
Title VI, 42 U.S.C., * Section 2000d et seq., was enacted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI-related statutes and regulations provide that no person shall on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, English proficiency, or disabilities be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its programs and services on the basis of race, color or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Why Is Title VI Important?
Title VI ensures that public services, including transportation, are provided in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner.
Title VI provides opportunities for public participation in decision-making without regard to race, color, or national origin, including populations with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
Among other things, in operating a federally-assisted program, the MDTA and its sub-recipients cannot on the basis of race, color, or national origin, either directly or indirectly:
- Deny program services, aids, or benefits
- Provide a different service, aid, or benefit, or provide them in a manner differently than they are provided to others
- Segregate or separately treat individuals in any matter related to the receipt of any services, aid, or benefit.
Please Fill Out a Survey
MDTA strives to involve all groups relevant to its project in its public involvement activities. Please fill out and submit a Demographic Information Survey (PDF Download) to assist MDTA in planning outreach to communities during the course of the project.
Filing a Complaint / Seeking Assistance
Should you need LEP assistance or if you believe MDTA is not meeting the expectations of Title VI, you may direct questions, concerns, or file a complaint by:
- Filing a Title VI complaint up to 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination, by completing and submitting the agency's Title VI Complaint Form to MDTA’s Office of Equal Opportunity.
- Mailing the Title VI Complaint Form to:
- Title VI Program Manager
Division of Civil Rights & Fair Practices
Office of Equal Opportunity
Maryland Transportation Authority
2310 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
- Title VI Program Manager
- Emailing the Title VI Complaint Form may to MDTAeeo@MDTA.state.md.us or faxed to MDTA's Office of Equal Opportunity at: 410-537-1044.
More information about Title VI can be found on the MDTA’s Title VI webpage.
Doing Business with the MDTA
Interested in working with the MDTA? You can find valuable information on where to find contracts using eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA), resources and assistance through the MDTA Division of Civil Rights and Fair Practices (CRFP), MBE Certification Information and the Certified MBE Directory, and contact information for Minority and Women owned businesses by visiting our Business page.
Contact Us
MDTA Project Manager
Mr. Jason Stolicny
Highway Discipline Manager
Maryland Transportation Authority
I895tollplaza@mdta.maryland.gov
ATTN: I-895 at Frankfurst Avenue Interchange Improvements Project
300 Authority Drive
Baltimore, MD 21222
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