Interstate 83 replaced the U.S. 111 designation from Baltimore northward to York and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The freeway entails the Jones Falls Expressway from downtown Baltimore northward to the Baltimore Beltway (Interstate 695), the Baltimore Beltway with Interstate 695 between Exits 23 and 24, and the Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway from Interstate 695 northward to the Pennsylvania state line. Exit numbering along Interstate 83 varies between a sequential system within the Beltway and a mileage-based system from the Beltway northward. Much of the U.S. 111 freeway was completed by 1960.
The guide for Interstate 83 is split between two pages:
The Jones Falls Expressway (JFX) stems north of the Interstate 83 merge onto Interstate 695 (Baltimore Beltway) one half mile to junction Maryland 25 (Falls Road) and Joppa Road. The JFX transitions into Maryland 25 and Falls Road north to junction Maryland 130 (Greenspring Valley Road). For Maryland 25 southbound travelers, the state route departs the four-lane Falls Road for the two-lane Falls Road at the JFX southbound beginning. Joppa Road stems southeast from the signalized intersection as Falls Road continues southward parallel to Interstate 83 into the city of Baltimore. A short connector ramp provides a second entry point to the JFX from Maryland 25 south of Joppa Road for nearby residents and businesses. Photo taken 10/10/04.
Traffic merges onto the Jones Falls Expressway from the adjacent Maryland 25 (Falls Road) connector ramp south of the Falls Road intersection with Joppa Road. The JFX continues southward toward its directional-cloverleaf interchange with Interstates 83 & 695 (Baltimore Beltway). An erroneous Interstate 83 southbound reassurance shield resides just north of the junction. The shield should include a "TO" banner as Interstate 83 does not join the JFX until south of the Beltway. Photo taken 10/10/04.
JFX southbound at the Interstate 695 west (outer loop) ramp for Pikesville, Woodlawn, junction Interstate 70, and Catonsville. Interstate 695 serves interests for Interstate 95 south to Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Washington, D.C. Photo taken 10/10/04.
Interstate 695 westbound gore point sign on the JFX south off-ramp to the Baltimore Beltway outer loop. Maryland typically signs its freeway to freeway connections with gore point signs including the route shield in question rather than with a standard exit sign. The loop ramp onto Interstate 83 north & Interstate 695 east (inner loop) departs ahead. Interstate 83 & 695 join for only 1.5 miles between the JFX and Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway at the next Beltway exit. Interstate 83 continues north from there to York and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Interstate 695 meanwhile heads east to Towson, Overlea, junction Interstate 95, and Essex. Photo taken 10/10/04.
Maryland 137 (Mount Carmel Road) eastbound enters the Exit 27 diamond interchange with Interstate 83 near Hereford and Gunpowder Falls State Park. Pictured here is a freeway style guide sign for the southbound on-ramp to Baltimore. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Interstate 83 southbound shield assembly posted at the Maryland 137 (Mount Carmel Road) eastbound entrance ramp to the Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway southbound. Interstate 83 merges with Interstate 695 (Baltimore Beltway) 13 miles to the south at Lutherville. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Maryland 137 (Mount Carmel Road) eastbound passes over the Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway ahead of the northbound on-ramp to Interstate 83. Interstate 83 crosses the Pennsylvania state line ten miles to the north near New Freedom, Pennsylvania. Photo taken 10/13/04.
The northbound on-ramp to Interstate 83 departs Maryland 137 just ahead of the Mount Carmel Road intersection with Maryland 45 (York Road). Maryland 137 comprises 8.50 miles of pavement between York Road (old U.S. 111) and the settlement of Armacost at the intersection of Mount Carmel Road and Gunpowder Road west of Maryland 25 (Falls Road). Photo taken 10/13/04.
Maryland 439 (Old York Road) westbound within the half-cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 83 (Exit 36) near the Pennsylvania state line. Maryland 439 joins the Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway with Maryland 45 (York Road) just south of Maryland Line. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Interstate 83 guide sign directing motorists onto the southbound on-ramp to Towson and Baltimore. Maryland 439 (Old York Road) ends ahead at Maryland 45 (old U.S. 111) 1.25 miles south of the Pennsylvania state line. Maryland 439 follows 7.19 miles of Old York Road between Maryland 45 (York Road) and Maryland 23 (Norrisville Road). Photo taken 10/13/04.
Northern Parkway
The Northern Parkway arcs across the northern reaches of Baltimore city between Maryland 26 (Liberty Heights Avenue) and U.S. 1 (Belair Road). The four to six lane arterial meets Interstate 83 (Jones Falls Expressway) at the Coldspring neighborhood of the city. This suite of photos displays old and new guide signs along the parkway eastbound at the partial-cloverleaf interchange (Exit 10) with Interstate 83 in north central Baltimore. Northern Parkway links Interstate 83 with the nearby neighborhoods of Mount Washington, Pimlico, Dixon Hill, Homeland and the Pimlico Race Track. Photo taken 10/13/04.
The northbound on-ramp to Interstate 83 from Northern Parkway features the unusual design in that it splits into two components. A directional ramp loops over the Jones Falls Expressway onto Interstate 83 southbound for Northern Parkway westbound motorists. Northern Parkway eastbound motorists merge with westbound motorists for the northbound on-ramp otherwise. Note the control point of Beltway for the Interstate 83 merge with Interstate 695 at Exit 13. Photo taken 10/13/04.
