This view of Interstate 97 is afforded along northbound immediately after the U.S. 50-301 (Interstate 595) interchange. Interstate 97 north of Annapolis to Exit 7 is the most rural section of the freeway. Photo taken 06/02/03.
The section of Interstate 97 between U.S. 50-301 and Exit 7/Maryland 32 was the most significant new construction for the freeway; it was completed around 1989. Each of the other segments (Maryland 3 upgrade between Exits 7 and 12 and Glen Burnie Bypass) required upgrades and interchange work through the 1990s. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Northbound Interstate 97 passes through a seven-mile stretch without any exits. Photo taken 06/02/03.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Maryland 32 (Exit 7), Interstate 695 (Exit 16), and Baltimore. Interstate 97 does not enter the city of Baltimore; in fact, it might be the only two-digit Interstate highway that does not leave a single county, since it remains within Anne Arundel County. That's what happens when the Interstate is the shortest "major" Interstate in the country. Photo taken 06/02/03.
This shield assembly provides a reassurance Interstate 97 north shield as well as two trailblazer shields, one for Maryland 32 and the other for Maryland 3. Photo taken 06/02/03.
The next exit along northbound is Exit 7, Junction Maryland 32 freeway northwest to Columbia and to Maryland 3 south to Bowie, 1.50 miles. Photo taken 06/02/03.
The Maryland 32 freeway heads northwest to Odenton, Fort Meade, and Columbia. Photo taken 06/02/03.
The next exit along northbound is Exit 7, Junction Maryland 32 freeway northwest to Columbia and to Maryland 3 south to Bowie. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Northbound Interstate 97 approaches its junction with Maryland 32 (Exit 7), which has a connection to Maryland 3 south to Bowie and a quick route to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Route 295) and Interstate 95 as well as U.S. 29 near Columbia. Photo taken 06/02/03.
This overhead pull-through sign indicates that Maryland 3 and Interstate 97 merge together on their journey to Glen Burnie, but technically, Maryland 3 already ended (based on the end shields present where Maryland 3 merges onto Interstate 97). This is an older sign and might be original. Photo taken 06/02/03.
This mileage sign along northbound provides the distance to the three Glen Burnie exits (skipping over Exit 10, Veterans Highway/Benfield Boulevard): Exit 12, Junction Business Maryland 3; Exit 13, Junction Maryland 174/Quarterfield Road; and Exit 15, Junction Maryland 176/Dorsey Road (skipping Exit 14, Junction Maryland 100 freeway). Photo taken 06/02/03.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 97 is Exit 10, Veterans Highway to Benfield Boulevard. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Veterans Highway is old Maryland 3, and it parallels Interstate 97 between Exits 7 and 12. Use Veterans Highway to reach Benfield Boulevard to the community of Severna Park. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Northbound Interstate 97 reaches Exit 10, Veterans Highway to Benfield Boulevard. Photo taken 06/02/03.
This Interstate 97 Maryland shield is located after the onramp from Veterans Highway/Exit 10. Photo taken 06/02/03.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 97 is Exit 12, Junction Business Maryland 3/New Cut Road north into Glen Burnie, one mile. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Business Maryland 3 is a remnant of old Maryland 3, back when this section of Interstate 97 (the Glen Burnie Bypass) was part of that route. Now that Maryland 3 has been retracted to south of Exit 7, it seems logical that Business Maryland 3 should be renumbered since it no longer touches its parent route. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Northbound Interstate 97 reaches Exit 12, Junction Business Maryland 3/New Cut Road north into Glen Burnie. Photo taken 06/02/03.
The next four exits along northbound Interstate 97 are Exit 13, Junction Maryland 174/Quarterfield Road; Exits 14A-B, Junction Maryland 100; Exit 15, Junction Maryland 176/Dorsey Road; and Exit 16, Junction Maryland 648. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Maryland 100 starts its westerly journey from Gibson Island, changing into a freeway as it meets Maryland 10 west of Lake Shore. The freeway then heads northwest past Interstate 97, Maryland 295, and Interstate 95, culminating at U.S. 29 north of Columbia. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Northbound Interstate 97 reaches Exits 14A-B, Junction Maryland 100 freeway west to Ellicott City and east to Gibson Island. Photo taken 06/02/03.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 97 is Exit 15, Junction Maryland 176/Dorsey Road to Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Glen Burnie, 0.75 mile. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Northbound Interstate 97 approaches Exit 15, Junction Maryland 176/Dorsey Road to Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Glen Burnie, one-half mile. Photo taken 05/31/04.
Maryland 176/Dorsey Road is reached via Exits 15A-B along northbound. East Maryland 176 meets Maryland 648 in Glen Burnie, while west Maryland 176 heads to Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Photo taken 05/31/04.
Exit 15A connects northbound Interstate 97 with eastbound Maryland 176/Dorsey Road to Glen Burnie. Photo taken 05/31/04.
Northbound Interstate 97 reaches Exit 15B, Junction Maryland 176/Dorsey Road west to Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Photo taken 05/31/04.
Maryland 648 heads north into Baltimore, ending at Maryland 295 south of downtown. Heading south, Maryland 648 heads southeast to meet Maryland 10 in Glen Burnie. Photo taken 05/31/04.
The final exit along northbound is Exits 17A-B, Junction Interstate 695, one mile. This overhead sign is very similar to those currently being installed in California, with the exit tab included in the main sign rather than included as an "add-on." Photo taken 05/31/04.
Hazardous materials are not permitted in the Harbor Tunnel, so the Interstate 695 beltway is advisable. This sign also advises on the exits to use for the Port of Baltimore: Locust Point via Interstate 695 west to Interstate 95 north and Fairfield/Dundalk/Seagirt via Interstate 695 east. Photo taken 05/31/04.
The pull-through sign no longer mentions Interstate 97; the through route becomes Interstate 895, which is connected to Interstate 97 via unsigned Spur Interstate 895. The next exit is for Exits 17A-B, Junction Interstate 695. Photo taken 05/31/04.
Northbound Interstate 97 approaches Exits 17A-B, Junction Interstate 695. Interstate 695 heads east via the Francis Scott Key Bridge to southeast Baltimore and west to meet Interstate 70 and Interstate 83 near Towson. Photo taken 05/31/04.
Interstate 97 approaches its northern terminus at Exits 17A-B, Junction Interstate 695/Baltimore Beltway. The two right lanes exit directly onto westbound Interstate 695/Baltimore Beltway (Exit 17A), while the two left lanes access Exit 17A (Junction Interstate 695 east) and Exit 18 (Junction To Maryland 648). After those two exits, the main lanes continue north as Spur Interstate 895 to Interstate 895/Harbor Tunnel Thruway. Photo taken 05/31/04.
This is the last exit sign on northbound Interstate 97. There are no "END" shields present. The left lanes continue north as Spur Interstate 895 (which is signed as "TO Interstate 895"), with one more exit after Interstate 695 to reach Maryland 648. After that, Spur Interstate 895 is tolled, since traffic is directed onto the Harbor Tunnel Thruway without any options for exit prior to the toll plaza. The Harbor Tunnel crosses the Inner Harbor/Patapsco River as an alternative to Interstate 95/Fort McHenry Tunnel. There is no access to Interstate 895 southbound from the spur. Photo taken 05/31/04.
