Md. I-70 emergency closure

[cpzilliacus]

I-70 westbound (and I understand westbound only) closed between I-695 and U.S. 29 for "possible structural damage to bridge." 

I do not know which structure they are referring to at this time.

[cpzilliacus]

WBAL Radio: I-70 Westbound Closed By Problem At Patapsco River Bridge

Maryland SHA has CLOSED ALL LANES of I 70 WESTBOUND between I 695/Baltimore Beltway and US 29 because of a structural problem at the Patapsco River Bridge.

SHA discovered the problem while painting the bridge today and immediately CLOSED ALL WESTBOUND lanes.

Repairs will take about 24 hours.

Alternate routes include:

I-95 SOUTHBOUND to MD 100 WESTBOUND to US 29 NORTHBOUND
    US 40/Baltimore National Pike WESTBOUND
    MD 144/Frederick Rd WESTBOUND
    MD 26/Liberty Rd WESTBOUUND
    I-795 NORTHBOUND

I-70 EASTBOUND is OPEN.

[BrianP]

I just found out about this too.
http://www.marylandroads.com/pages/release.aspx?newsId=1927

SHA bridge inspectors discovered an issue with the beam that requires immediate attention.

[on_wisconsin]

Another one?!? Rush hour must be pretty horrific right about now, especially being a summer Friday evening.

[Alex4897]

First I-495, now this?
I wonder what's next. 

[Alps]

Rumor is that they discovered a crack in a fracture-critical member. A crack is far from a failure, but it's good to address it now. It really hurt tonight, but 24 hours isn't bad at all. Completely unrelated to Delaware.

[Alex]

First I-495, now this?
I wonder what's next. 

I-65 over the Mobile River was shut down for several days due to a truck fire on May 22 as well. Now it will undergo a month plus of repairs. You probably can find similar types of damage throughout the Interstate system in any given month. I know I-75 in Sarasota County, Florida had two separate emergency closures this year already.

[cpzilliacus]

First I-495, now this?
I wonder what's next. 

Southbound I-495 in Delaware is an escape route to the Delaware beaches for residents of northern Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. 

For a large chunk of Maryland's population, I-70 is an escape route to the mountains of Western Maryland, and nearby areas of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

IMO, that is the only similarity.

[Roadrunner75]

Then there's always planned shutdowns for repairs such as the Pulaski Skyway (US 1/9 in NJ) northbound for 2 years.  This was supposed to be the end of the world for North Jersey traffic but hasn't been nearly as bad as expected.  As long as I take my weekly trips up to Jersey City a little past the morning rush, the traffic is more or less the same on the Turnpike extension and I get the added bonus of being able to zoom by everyone on the shoulder now that they've opened it for travel in the morning.

[cpzilliacus]

Then there's always planned shutdowns for repairs such as the Pulaski Skyway (US 1/9 in NJ) northbound for 2 years.  This was supposed to be the end of the world for North Jersey traffic but hasn't been nearly as bad as expected.  As long as I take my weekly trips up to Jersey City a little past the morning rush, the traffic is more or less the same on the Turnpike extension and I get the added bonus of being able to zoom by everyone on the shoulder now that they've opened it for travel in the morning.

I get the impression that NJDOT was very aggressive about warning about a potential transportation melt-down when the northbound side of the Skyway was shut-down.  So people were prepared, and expected the worst, and there was no melt-down.

Rather like the Carmageddon Weekends in Los Angeles County when I-405 was shut down at the Sepulveda Pass over a weekend.

[kj3400]

If I-70 is out, then if I recall correctly, there's only 2 alternatives: US 40, which is 2 lanes and has its own construction thing going on, and Fairbrook-Johnnycake-Old Frederick Rds. to US 29. Those are bound to be clogged.

[cpzilliacus]

WJZ (CBS) Channel 13: SHA Officials: Emergency Repairs Close I-70 Near Patapsco Bridge

SHA officials say they are erring on the side of caution after inspectors discovered an issue with a beam that supports the bridge. The bridge will be closed until repairs are made.

Those repairs could last through the weekend and into Monday morning.

[cpzilliacus]

If I-70 is out, then if I recall correctly, there's only 2 alternatives: US 40, which is 2 lanes and has its own construction thing going on, and Fairbrook-Johnnycake-Old Frederick to US 29. Those are bound to be clogged.

The U.S. 40 project at the Patapsco River is complete.  But as you point out, it is only two lanes each way, and there are quite a few signals between I-695 and U.S. 29. 

The (IMO) better alternative, though it's longer: is I-695 Outer Loop to I-95 South to Md. 100 West to U.S. 29 North and back to I-70 West.

[Alps]

If I-70 is out, then if I recall correctly, there's only 2 alternatives: US 40, which is 2 lanes and has its own construction thing going on, and Fairbrook-Johnnycake-Old Frederick Rds. to US 29. Those are bound to be clogged.

Yes, they are, but Johnnycake looks a lot better than 40 right now, probably because only locals really know about it.

Then there's always planned shutdowns for repairs such as the Pulaski Skyway (US 1/9 in NJ) northbound for 2 years.  This was supposed to be the end of the world for North Jersey traffic but hasn't been nearly as bad as expected.  As long as I take my weekly trips up to Jersey City a little past the morning rush, the traffic is more or less the same on the Turnpike extension and I get the added bonus of being able to zoom by everyone on the shoulder now that they've opened it for travel in the morning.

At the same time, though, Carmageddon sufferers could avoid the route for a weekend. I-70 sufferers were stuck today, but may put off tomorrow's plans for a bit. Skyway, and to a lesser degree I-495, sufferers have nowhere to go. The fact that NJ traffic hasn't gotten worse means that people really are a) maximizing use of I-78's other lane, b) diverting to other modes, and c) changing trip patterns. d) The regional ITS infrastructure is also helping.

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun: I-70 westbound bridge reopens after weekend repairs

The westbound I-70 Bridge over the Patapsco River at the Baltimore-Howard County line was reopened around 4 p.m. Sunday after undergoing weekend repairs, the State Highway Administration said.

The ramps from the inner and outer loops of the beltway were also reopened to access westbound I-70, the SHA said.

Repairs started Friday afternoon, after the state found "urgent repair work" was needed to reinforce a beam. Crews bolted and welded steel plates to the beam to permanently ensure the bridge's safety, the SHA said.

[cpzilliacus]

At the same time, though, Carmageddon sufferers could avoid the route for a weekend.

Though the message from Caltrans, the City of Los Angeles and L.A. County was to stay home on the Carmageddon weekends.

I-70 sufferers were stuck today, but may put off tomorrow's plans for a bit.

Likely correct.

Skyway, and to a lesser degree I-495, sufferers have nowhere to go. The fact that NJ traffic hasn't gotten worse means that people really are a) maximizing use of I-78's other lane, b) diverting to other modes, and c) changing trip patterns. d) The regional ITS infrastructure is also helping.

Makes sense.  Wonder if anyone at NJDOT or maybe the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority is looking at Inrix, TomTom or AirSage data as part of the Skyway shut-down?