For a time, the Harbor Tunnel Thruway and John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway were both a part of Interstate 95. This alignment of Interstate 95 lasted until the sections through Baltimore were built. Thus the Harbor Tunnel Thruway ended at U.S. 1 (Exit 3) until Interstate 95 was completed southwest of the Beltway.
Interstate 895 features a spur route between the Harbor Tunnel Thruway and Interstate 97 & Maryland 2 (Ritchie Highway) at Glen Burnie. The freeway allows southbound travelers direct access to the southbound beginning of Interstate 97 and the Ritchie Highway just south of the Beltway. Interstate 895 Spur northbound brings Maryland 2 and Interstate 97 northbound drivers directly onto Interstate 895 northbound ahead of the Harbor Tunnel itself. See Maryland @ AARoads - Interstate 895 Spur for coverage of this short freeway system.
Interstate 895 North
Northbound Interstate 895 shield after the on-ramp from Interstate 97. From here, all traffic must pay the toll for the Harbor Tunnel, including traffic using Exit 8/Childs Street. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Between the Interstate 97 connector and the tunnel, Interstate 895 follows a very tight course as it initially parallels the Patapsco River, then enters the industrial area that includes a massive railroad yard, several piers, and other cargo ports of entry. Photo taken 06/02/03.
At the time this photo was taken, the toll for the Harbor Tunnel (Interstate 895) and the Fort McHenry Tunnel (Interstate 95) was $1; the tunnel toll was 40 cents when the tunnel was first opened to traffic in 1957. This amount was doubled between June 2003 and June 2004 to $2. For more on the rates, visit MDTA's New Rate Schedule for Toll Facilities. Both directions of the Harbor Tunnel must pay the toll. The next exit is Exit 8/Childs Street, two miles. Childs Street connects to a variety of port areas. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Prior to the toll booth, Interstate 895 crosses the railroad yard via this truss bridge. The toll plaza and Exit 8/Childs Street are located just after the bridge. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Lane signals are used to allocate traffic into the correct lanes for the Harbor Tunnel. Maintenance activities occasionally require the closure of a tunnel, and in those instances, traffic is diverted to the other tunnel. Constructed in 1955-1957 and opened in November 1957, the tunnel was added to the Interstate Highway System as Interstate 895. (For more on the background of the tunnel, visit Harbor Tunnel (PDF file).) Its cousin, the Fort McHenry Tunnel/Interstate 95, is much younger, having been built in the 1980s. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Now descending into the tunnel, this photo shows the freeway preparing to pass underneath the massive Patapsco River/Port of Baltimore. The tunnel carries four lanes of travel, with two lanes in each tube. Photo taken 06/02/03.
The Harbor Tunnel requires a 45 mile per hour speed limit for its entire length. Much of the tunnel has no shoulders or turn outs. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Lane markers again indicate which tunnel lanes are open to northbound traffic. At the time this photo was taken, armed national guardsmen were posted in conspicuous locations to patrol the tunnel area, as it was considered a potential target after the events of September 11, 2001. Photo taken 10/14/01.
Now emerging from the 1.5-mile long tunnel at a maximum depth of 101 feet, Interstate 895 again reaches open air on the north shore of the Patapsco River/Port of Baltimore. The freeway maintains two lanes in each direction, and it immediately comes into close contact with Interstate 95, even though there is no connection here between the two routes. Photo taken 06/02/03.
The next exit along northbound is Exit 10, Holabird Avenue to the Dundalk Area. Note that this is a substandard sign, and it might have been replaced since this photo was taken. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Holabird Avenue heads due east from this interchange, connecting with Broening Highway (which leads south to Seagirt Marine Terminal) and Dundalk Avenue. Dundalk Avenue and Broening Highway lead into the vicinity of Dundalk, and Broening Highway ultimately connects with Interstate 695 to the southeast just north of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This is a standard sign. Note Interstate 95 passes overhead immediately after this exit ramp. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Mileage sign for the next three exits along northbound Interstate 895: Exit 11A, Boston Street; Exit 11B, O'Donnell Street; and Exit 12, Lombard Street. Photo taken 06/02/03.
Northbound Interstate 895 at Exit 11A, Boston Street; the next exit is Exit 11B, O'Donnell Street. Boston Street heads due west into downtown Baltimore via Highlandtown, changing into Fleet Street at the intersection with Chester Street southwest of Patterson Park. From there, Fleet Street continues west until reaching President Street, which in turn becomes Interstate 83 northbound. Another Boston Street exists to the east of Interstate 895, but it is reached via Interstate Avenue and O'Donnell Street eastbound. Photo taken 06/02/03.
As for O'Donnell Street, it also heads due west into downtown Baltimore, but meets up with Boston Street in Highlandtown. Of equal importance, eastbound O'Donnell Street heads southeast, changes into Boston Street, and then connects to Dundalk Avenue. Photo taken 06/02/03.
A sharp turn greets motorists exiting northbound Interstate 895 onto O'Donnell Street. A mileage sign in the distance provides the distance to the next three exits along northbound: Exit 12, Lombard Street and Exit 13, Junction U.S. 40/Pulaski Highway and Junction Maryland 151/Erdman Avenue. Use U.S. 40 west to reach Moravia Road northeast. Interstate 895's tolled section ends at the Lombard Street interchange. Photo taken 06/02/03.
After the U.S. 40 interchange, the reassurance shields are changed to Interstate 95 (note the state name is written in this shield). Interstate 895 ends as soon as it passes out of the city of Baltimore and enters Baltimore County. Photo taken 10/14/01.
Interstate 895 South
Now separated from Interstate 95, Interstate 895 begins its journey south. Frequently less traveled than Interstate 95, it makes the same journey as its parent, albeit through a different tunnel and along a more easterly trajectory. Interstate 895, along with Interstate 95 and Interstate 695, crosses the Patapsco River at different locations. Photo taken 10/13/04.
The first southbound reassurance shield is posted near Moores Run Park between Interstate 95 and Moravia Road (Exit 14). Photo taken 10/13/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 at Exit 14, Moravia Road to Junction U.S. 40/Pulaski Highway. Moravia Road, along with Cold Spring Lane to the northeast, provide a semi-arc around north and eastern Baltimore. Use Moravia Road southeast to reach U.S. 40. U.S. 40 provides a direct route from the northeast into downtown Baltimore. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Traveling the Exit 14 off-ramp to Moravia Road in east Baltimore. Moravia Road stems westward to form a partial "Y" interchange with Interstate 95 (Exit 61) northwest to Herring Run Park and the Gardenville neighborhood of the city. Carl Moore adds that after the Harbor Tunnel opened in 1957 that drivers had to use U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) when travelling between Moravia Road (connection just inside Baltimore to the Harbor Tunnel Thruway) and U.S. 13 (in Delaware). Once the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway opened in November 1963, one could get directly from Interstate 95 to the Harbor Tunnel Thruway (future Interstate 895). From westbound U.S. 40 there was a right-hand turn onto Moravia Road northbound to reach the Thruway. Before the Fort McHenry Tunnel was built but after the approach freeway from Interstate 895 was opened, signs at the Interstate 95 & 895 split read "southeast Baltimore" for the eventual Interstate 95 and "Washington via I-95" for the Harbor Tunnel Thruway. Photos taken 10/13/04.
The second southbound reassurance shield for Interstate 895, posted after the Moravia Road on-ramp adjacent to Herring Run Park. Photo taken 06/01/04.
The next exit along southbound is Exit 12, Lombard Street. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Lombard Street heads east to the John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and west toward Patterson Park. Photo taken 06/01/04.
For the most part, southbound Interstate 895 has only two lanes in each direction. The third lane (right lane) becomes exit only and will depart the mainline at Exit 12. This is the last exit before the $2 toll to cross under the Port of Baltimore/Pataspco River. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 at Exit 12, Lombard Street. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Between here and Exit 8, there are no further exits on southbound Interstate 895. Interstate 895 has two stops ahead, including a truck check area just prior to the tunnel and the toll plaza. Photo taken 06/01/04.
This is the second and final southbound Interstate 895 reassurance shield. There are no such shields left south of the tunnel (although we have a photo of one that was in place as recently as 2001 in the vicinity of the truss bridge). Photo taken 06/01/04.
Interstate 95 crosses over Interstate 895 just before both highways descend into their respective tunnels. Interstate 895 remains close to ground level, while Interstate 95 takes a viaduct. Photo taken 10/13/04.
As southbound Interstate 895 passes under Interstate 95 (no exit provided), this variable message sign greets southbound motorists. Interstate Avenue / Boston Street and Ponca Street intersect adjacent to the crossover. Photo taken 10/13/04.
The variable speed limit sign allows for changes in speeds due to conditions and traffic flow. "G-13" appears to be a reference number for this sign bridge. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Another variable message sign overhead and set of lane control signals on Interstate 895 south. These lane markers identify which lanes are open/closed for transit through the tunnel. At the time this picture was taken, all lanes were open, two lanes in each direction. Photo taken 10/13/04.
After the "truck check" exit, southbound Interstate 895 descends into the Harbor Tunnel. The toll plaza is at the south end of the tunnel, between the tunnel and the truss bridge over the railroad yards. Photo taken 06/01/04.
The Harbor Tunnel was constructed in 1955-1957 at a cost of $130 million, and it opened in late November 1957 (after Thanksgiving). It carries 23.6 million vehicles per year, and maintenance and operation of the tunnels, including the ventilation systems, require constant oversight. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 enters the Harbor Tunnel under this marquee. Photo taken 10/13/04..
View of the inside of the southbound Harbor Tunnel tube. There is no stopping in the tunnel, and shoulders are limited. Opened on November 29, 1957 after two plus years of construction, the Harbor Tunnel allowed motorists to bypass an in-city route mired with 51 traffic signals and eliminated 40 percent of the commercial through traffic from the city streets. The twin-tubes travel 1.5 miles across the river at a maximum depth of 101 feet. The $130 million tunnel now carries up to 25 million vehicles annually across the Pataspco River.2 Photos taken 10/13/04.
Interstate 895 emerges from the Harbor Tunnel, passing by these stone retaining walls en route to ground level. A service road travels above the west tunnel portal. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Again, lane markers are in place along southbound Interstate 895 as it approaches the toll plaza. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 widens out as it approaches the $2 toll plaza. Photo taken 06/01/04.
The toll plaza for the Harbor Tunnel Thruway as Interstate 895 prepares to cross over the CSX Railroad yard at the Brooklyn section of the city. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) converted their M-TAG System into EZ-Pass to allow account holders from adjoining states usage of their tolled facilities. Photo taken 10/13/04.
After the toll plaza, Interstate 895 meets a pair of exits that serve the industrial facilities of the southeastern shore of the Pataspco River. The first is Exit 8B, which connects to Frankfurst Avenue westbound to Junction Maryland 2. Northbound Maryland 2/Hanover Street heads to Baltimore city via the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge. Exit 8A, meanwhile, connects to southbound Shell Road to Stonehouse Cove and Curtis Bay. A variety of piers are located toward the end of Shell Road. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 next meets Exit 8A, Shell Road eastbound to industrial areas. Use Shell Road southbound to Chesapeake, Patapsco, and Curtis Avenues for the Fairfield, Wagners Point, Brooklyn Manor, and Curtis Bay neighborhoods of the city. Photo taken 10/13/04.
South of Exit 8A, this truss bridge carries narrow Interstate 895 over a set of CSX Railroad tracks and not a body of water. A local street grid fronts the span from Chesapeake Avenue southward as part of the Brooklyn neighborhood of Baltimore. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Views of the truss bridge as seen along southbound Interstate 895. Photos taken 10/13/04 & 06/01/04.
The next exit along southbound is Exit 7, Junction Maryland 2/Potee Road south. South of Interstate 895, Maryland 2/Potee Road heads south into Brooklyn (a community of Baltimore city), then exits into the city of Brooklyn Park in Anne Arundel County. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Exit 7 is primarily designed to connect Interstate 895 with local destinations along Maryland 2 in Brooklyn Park. To reach Maryland 2 destinations south of the Interstate 695 beltway, use Interstate 895 south to Exit 6 (To Interstate 97 south), then follow the signs to Maryland 2/Gov. Ritchie Highway south to Glen Burnie. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 meets Exit 7, Junction Maryland 2/Potee Street south to Brooklyn Park with connections to Maryland 173/Pataspco Avenue. Photo taken 06/01/04.
This southbound reassurance shield used to retain the state name, but it has since been removed (sometime in 2003-2004). Unfortunately, this was the only Interstate 895 Maryland shield posted on the mainline. Additionally, a modified U.S. 1 cutout is posted at Exit 1 on southbound; that sign is shown below. Photo taken 06/17/00.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 895 is Exit 6, Junction Spur Interstate 895 south to Interstate 97 south to Annapolis and Maryland 2 south to U.S. 50 east over the Chesapeake Bay. In addition, Interstate 97 south connects to Maryland 3 south to Bowie and U.S. 301 south to Charles County destinations and Richmond, Virginia via the Governor Nice Bridge over the Potomac River. This direct connection is the main reason why many travelers en route to Annapolis and the eastern shore from the northeast opt to use Interstate 895 rather than Interstate 95 to cross the Patapsco River. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Spur Interstate 895 departs from the mainline at Exit 6, providing a transition onto southbound Interstate 97 and Maryland 2. In addition, this exit connects to Maryland 3 (Robert Crain Highway) and ultimately U.S. 301 via Interstate 97 southbound. Interstate 97 is a very short route that connects Baltimore with Annapolis, but it is very well-traveled, with a variety of connections to other major regional routes. In addition to the routes shown in this sign, a major connection via south Interstate 97 is the U.S. 50 (Interstate 595) freeway, which heads east over the Chesapeake Bay to east shore resorts, the state Delaware, and the city of Dover. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Interstate 97 is purposefully signed as "TO" on all of its advance shields, because Interstate 97 reaches its northern terminus at Interstate 695/Baltimore Beltway. A ramp connects Interstate 97 from Interstate 695 to Interstate 895, but this ramp is technically Interstate 895 Spur. The spur has a second ramp that connects to southbound Maryland 2. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 at Exit 6, Spur Interstate 895 south to Interstate 97 south and Maryland 2/Gov. Ritchie Highway south. Photo taken 06/01/04.
To reach Washington, D.C., from southbound Interstate 895, motorists may use either Exit 4, Junction Maryland 295/Baltimore-Washington Parkway (no through trucks!) or Exit 0, Junction Interstate 95 south. Photo taken 06/01/04.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 895 is Exit 4, Junction Maryland 295/Baltimore-Washington Parkway, one mile. Photo taken 06/01/04.
To reach the Baltimore Beltway/Interstate 695 from southbound Interstate 895, use Exit 4, Maryland 295/Baltimore-Washington Parkway south Interstate 695 east (outer) or Exit 3 for a direct connection to Interstate 695 northwest (inner). Photo taken 06/01/04.
Maryland 295/Baltimore-Washington Parkway is a major highway connecting Baltimore in the north with the eastern edges of the District of Columbia and the Capital Beltway in the south. As a freeway, the parkway provides a continuous limited access highway between these two points, but due to some substandard design and maintenance by the National Park Service for the stretch between Maryland 175 in the north and U.S. 50 in the south, the entire parkway is not part of the Interstate Highway System. Trucks and other commercial vehicles are generally restricted from the portion maintained by the National Park Service. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Maryland 295/Baltimore-Washington Parkway is an excellent alternative to Interstate 95, especially for traffic en route to the Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport. The freeway allows for all vehicles from downtown Baltimore south to Maryland 175, which is several miles south of BWI. In addition, Maryland 295 has a full interchange with both the Maryland 100 and Maryland 32 freeways. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 at Exit 4, Junction Maryland 295/Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Photo taken 06/01/04.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 895 is Exit 3, Junction Interstate 695 northwest (inner loop), 0.50 mile. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Interstate 695 provides a complete bypass of the city of Baltimore in a circular belt route. The freeway is signed as inner/outer loop; this exit accesses the inner loop. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 at Exit 3, Junction Interstate 695/Beltway north to Interstate 95 north and Interstate 70 west. Photo taken 06/01/04.
In lieu of the Interstate 895 Maryland shield is this southbound "To Interstate 95 Maryland" shield and a lone U.S. 1 cutout shield just beyond it. There are no more reassurance shields or trailblazer shields south of here (and thus there are no "END Interstate 895" shields either). Photo taken 06/01/04.
The next exit along southbound is Exit 1, Junction U.S. 1/Washington Boulevard. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Prior to the construction of Interstate 95 and Maryland 295, U.S. 1/Washington Boulevard was the principal route between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Photo taken 06/01/04.
U.S. 1 follows Washington Boulevard south to Elkridge and north into Halethorpe (via Alternate U.S. 1) and Arbutus (via U.S. 1/Southwestern Boulevard). Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 at Exit 1, U.S. 1/Washington Boulevard. This is the last exit along southbound before the freeway merges onto southbound Interstate 95. Photo taken 06/01/04.
After the final exit (U.S. 1) along southbound, Interstate 895 prepares to end. Unfortunately, some of the bridges are still rough, with patches covering the potholes. As noted earlier, no signs indicate the terminus; it is just assumed that southbound Interstate 895 will merge onto southbound Interstate 95. Photo taken 06/01/04.
As the Harbor Thruway crosses the Interstate 95 mainline and prepares to merge onto southbound, the two-lane concrete highway narrows to one lane. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound Interstate 895 meets its end as it merges back into Interstate 95 with much less fanfare than its northerly beginning. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Sources:
1 - Moore, Carl. "I-895 (Maryland)." Personal email, November 9, 2004.
2 - "The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (PDF File)." Maryland Transportation Authority.
