Interstate 395 constitutes a freeway spur from Interstate 95 into downtown Baltimore. The short freeway forks into two spokes. The eastern spoke provides direct access into the central business district and the Inner Harbor Area. The western spoke becomes Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard as it skirts west of downtown. Both prongs of Interstate 395 are signed as the freeway mainline. The southern terminus comprises a high-speed interchange elevated over the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River.
Interstate 395 North
An original Interstate 395 Maryland shield resides on the Interstate 95 northbound ramp (Exit 53) for Interstate 395 northbound. The ramp parallels the northbound on-ramp from Maryland 295 before ascending above the Interstate 95 mainline toward downtown. Photo taken 10/14/01.
The flyover of Interstate 395 southbound to Interstate 95 northbound soars above the entire interchange. Pictured here is the view of the ramp as seen from the Exit 53 off-ramp of Interstate 95 north to Interstate 395 north. Photo taken 10/14/01.
Traffic from the southbound off-ramp of Interstate 95 to Interstate 395 merges to widen the northbound viaduct to three overall lanes. The downtown skyline and M & T Bank Stadium (home of the National Football League Baltimore Ravens) dominate the northern horizon. Photo taken 04/30/04.
Interstate 395 prepares to split between the western and eastern branches into the central business district. The mainline defaults on the eastern spoke to Howard and Conway Streets to the left. The western spur serves Russell Street & Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Photo taken 04/30/04.
Approaching the Interstate 395 split with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Variable Message signs are embedded within the overheads at the partition to advise motorists of traffic conditions due to Baltimore Ravens or Baltimore Orioles games at the nearby stadium. Photos taken 04/30/04.
The western branch ascends above the eastern branch toward Russell Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Four lanes of Interstate 395 otherwise continue northward to the intersection of Howard and Conway Streets. Photos taken 04/30/04.
An Expressway ends overhead advises motorists of the upcoming transition from freeway into surface arterial. The Baltimore and Ohio Warehouse complex, renovated and now a part of the Baltimore Orioles corporate offices, comes into view after the flyover departs to the left. Photos taken 04/30/04.
Drawing toward the junction of Interstate 395 northbound with Conway and Howard Streets. Conway Street provides a six-lane arterial between the freeway end and Maryland 2 (Light Street) for the Inner Harbor. Howard Street continues from Interstate 395 northward into the business district. Photos taken 04/30/04.
A traffic signal presides over the intersection between Interstate 395 (Howard Street) and Conway Street. Eastbound traffic however may continue without encountering the light. Howard Street intersects Pratt Street, the main eastbound arterial through downtown, in two blocks. Photos taken 04/30/04.
A busy three blocks east of Howard Street is where Conway Street ends and intersects Light Street (Maryland 2). The north-south arterial provides the main gateway into the Inner Harbor entertainment and tourist district. The North West Branch of the Patapsco River itself is visible just beyond the signalized intersection. An Interstate 83 Maryland shield remains in place for Light Street northbound. Photos taken 04/30/04.
Interstate 395 North (West Branch)
Traveling the western branch flyover above the eastern branch on the approach to the Russell Street off-ramp. A partial cloverleaf interchange provides the movements between Interstate 395 and Russell Street (Maryland 295) below. Additional variable message signs are in place for stadium events to direct traffic to the various parking facilities. Photo taken 10/14/01.
Expressway ends overhead on the descent to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on Interstate 395 northbound. The freeway transitions into a six-lane arterial in 1,000 feet at the intersection with Washington Boulevard. Photo taken 10/14/01.
Interstate 395 draws to a close at the Washington Boulevard traffic signal. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard continues northward 0.75 miles to junction U.S. 40 (former Interstate 170). From there another half mile remains before the roadway ends at Maryland 129 (Druid Hill Avenue & McCulloh Street). Photo taken 10/14/01.
Interstate 395 South Western Branch
An Interstate 395 Maryland shield resides on the southbound beginning of the Western branch of Interstate 395 just south of Washington Boulevard. First photo taken 10/10/04; second photo taken 10/14/01.
Approaching the eastern branch of Interstate 395 from the Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard spur southbound. The two viaducts converge just one half mile north of the southern terminus of Interstate 395 at Interstate 95. Photo taken 10/10/04.
Interstate 395 South Eastern Branch
Adjacent to the Baltimore and Ohio Warehouse is the beginning of the eastern branch of Interstate 395 southbound. A bubble shield indicates the freeway beginning as traffic departs the Howard and Conway Street intersection. Photo taken 04/30/04.
Southbound on the eastern branch at the merge with the western branch. The first of three sign bridges guide motorists to the upcoming stack interchange at Interstate 95. An auxiliary guide sign advises Baltimore-Washington Airport traffic onto Interstate 95 south. Photo taken 04/30/04.
Interstate 395 expands to six overall lanes between the branch split and southern terminus. Pictured here is the second sign bridge for Interstate 95. The control cities of the north-south freeway include Washington and New York. New York is always displayed at the primary control city for Interstate 95 north from Baltimore. However the freeway passes through Wilmington and Philadelphia before reaching the Big Apple. Photo taken 04/30/04.
The mainline defaults onto Interstate 95 southbound for BWI Airport and Washington, D.C. A high flyover sweeps over the harbor for Interstate 95 northbound and the Fort McHenry Tunnel. Four miles separate the junction of Interstate 395 with Interstate 695 via Interstate 95 south. Photo taken 04/30/04.
An Interstate 95 Maryland shield is posted on the ramp to southbound. Passing underneath the flyover here is the Exit 52 off-ramp to Maryland 295 southbound. There is no direct access between Interstate 395 south and Maryland 295. The next departure point is the Exit 51 interchange with Caton Avenue (U.S. 1 Alternate). Photos taken 04/30/04 & 10/10/04.
Scenes Pertaining to Interstate 395
Many trailblazers reside in the central business district of Baltimore directing traffic to Interstate 95 via Interstate 395. This particular set includes a state name shield for Interstate 95 and resides at the intersection of Lombard and Calvert Streets. Photos taken 06/17/00.
