Maryland Transportation Authority
Maryland Transportation Authority Facilities
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) is currently responsible for the operation and maintenance of 228 bridges in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. The majority of these bridges are in Baltimore City, which has 143 bridges. Following this are Baltimore County (46), Harford County (22), Anne Arundel County (11), and Howard County (6). A number of these bridges are highlighted below.
In addition, MdTA also oversees a number of tunnels in the area. These tunnels are described below as well.
MdTA Bridges
Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40) - The oldest of the Authority's facilities, this four-lane bridge opened to traffic in August 1940. The structure is approximately 1.5-miles long, crossing the Susquehanna River on US 40 between Havre de Grace and Perryville in northeast Maryland.
Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695) - This outer crossing of the Baltimore Harbor opened in March 1977 as the final link in I-695, the Baltimore Beltway. In January 2000, MdTA completed an $89.5 million project to expand the northern side to four lanes. The Key Bridge is approximately 1.6 miles long.
Bay Bridge (US 50/301) - The Bay Bridge crosses the Chesapeake Bay as part of US 50/301, providing a direct connection between Maryland's Eastern Shore and the metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington, D.C. With a length of 4.3 miles, the Bay bridges are among the world's longest and most-scenic over-water structures. The original span was built in 1952 and provides a two-lane roadway for eastbound traffic. The parallel structure opened in 1973 and has three lanes for westbound travelers.
MdTA Tunnels
Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95, I-395)The largest, underwater highway tunnel, as well as the widest vehicular tunnel ever built by the immersed-tube method, opened to traffic in November 1985. This tunnel connects the Locust Point and Canton areas of Baltimore, crossing under the Patapsco River just south of historic Fort McHenry. The tunnel was designed as a vital part of the East Coast's most important interstate route -- I-95. The 1.5-mile, eight-lane Fort McHenry Tunnel handles a daily traffic volume of more than 116,000 vehicles.
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895)The 1.4-mile, four-lane tunnel handled its first vehicles in November 1957 and is part of a 20-mile system of approach roadways and ramps. Designated I-895, the facility connects the major north/south highways and many arterial routes in Baltimore City's industrial sections.
For more information:
Bala Akundi, bakundi@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1019.
Links within this web site:
Maryland State Highway Administration Facilities
Congestion Management
Traffic Operations
Traffic Safety in Maryland
Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 January 2009 06:17