Should I-895 be widened to six lanes or keep it four? I know it bypasses downtown, but I was just wondering. I love when roads get widened, but I hate the construction they do on it.
I doubt that MDTA is interested in adding a new tube to the Harbor Tunnel whatsoever if that is your intent by asking this question.
As far as whether it's warranted, I doubt it. While the current construction on 895 is not favorable, the combination of 95 and 895 generally handles the traffic thrown at it. It's getting there on 95 that is the bigger hassle. There's also 695 as a relief valve as needed.
Agree with Alps.
I do not think MDTA has any interest in widening I-895, nor should they.
Since I-895 was completed in 1957 (it was just called the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (or BHT) then, with no route number, the I-895 signs did not appear until decades later), there have been a lot of new things built near both tunnel portals.
The north portal is now near the FMT (Fort McHenry Tunnel) north portal, fan building, toll plaza and maintenance yards, and I-95 was built as a long and wide bridge over I-895 in the first half of the 1980's, with the piers that carry I-95 neatly surrounding the I-895 Canton Viaduct (now being replaced).
A wider I-895 might mean that the bridge carrying the 8 lanes of I-95 would need to be reconstructed as part of relocating or re configuring its piers. Send money. Lots of money.
At the south I-895 portal, there are petroleum tanks close by I-895 to the east, and a large car export and import terminal to the west. Some of this could be moved, but would cost plenty. Send more money.