Interstate 83 South - Jones Falls Expressway

The Jones Falls Expressway carries Interstate 83 south from the Baltimore Beltway to Fells Point near downtown Baltimore. The freeway begins at the intersection with MD 25 (Falls Road) at Brooklandville. An Interstate 83 shield resides just south of the JFX beginning, even though I-83 has yet to formally join the freeway.

08/27/05

Southbound Jones Falls Expressway drivers quickly meet the Baltimore Beltway at a directional cloverleaf interchange. Departing from under the ramp of Interstate 83 south onto the JFX is the westbound off-ramp to Interstate 695 to Pikesville and Woodlawn.

08/27/05

A loop ramp follows onto Interstate 83 north & 695 east to Lutherville, Towson, and Timonium.

10/10/04

Traveling the two lane ramp from the Baltimore Beltway onto the Jones Falls Expressway, an Interstate 83 shield is posted ahead of the I-695 over crossing.

06/27/10

The Jones Falls Expressway expands to six lanes with the advent of Interstate 83 traffic from Interstate 695.

06/27/10

A variety of signs posted along Interstate 83 (Jones Falls Expressway) southbound for the various attractions, points of interest, and colleges found in the city of Baltimore. Displayed is Coppin State University (Exit 6), the University of Baltimore (Exit 5), the Camden Yards area (home of the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles), Johns Hopkins Medical Campus (Exit 1), UMAB / University Center (Exit 1), Pimlico Racetrack (Exit 10B), and the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (Exit 7).

10/10/04

One mile guide sign for Northern Parkway (Exits 10A/B) posted on Interstate 83 southbound near the Baltimore city line. Northern Parkway skirts the northern portion of the city between MD 26 (Liberty Heights Avenue) and U.S. 1 (Bel Air Road).

06/27/10

Interstate 83 passes over the MARC light rail line as it enters the city limits of Baltimore. The city is independent of Baltimore County.

08/27/05

The Jones Falls Expressway continues southward along a six lane viaduct from the county line east of the Mount Washington section of the city to the Exit 10 directional cloverleaf interchange with Northern Parkway. Kelly Avenue passes over Interstate 83 in the distance.

08/27/05

06/27/10

Traffic to Northern Parkway leaves Interstate 83 southbound via the Exit 10 off-ramp. Northern Parkway constitutes a four to six lane divided highway as it skirts through the Coldspring, Roland Park, and Homeland sections of the city nearby. Northern Parkway reaches Pimlico Raceway one mile to the west at Pimlico Road and Rogers Avenue.

06/27/10

Drivers merging onto Interstate 83 southbound from Northern Parkway form the exit-only lane for Cold Spring Lane (Exits 9A/B). Cold Spring Lane travels east from Arlington and Pimlico to Guilford, Northwood, and Lauraville in north Baltimore.

06/27/10

One quarter mile ahead of the parclo interchange with Cold Spring Lane on I-83 south. Cold Spring Lane heads 1.2 miles west to MD 129 (Park Heights Avenue) and MD 140 (Reisterstown Road).

06/27/10

Jones Falls Expressway southbound at the Exit 9 ramp departure for Cold Springs Lane. East of Interstate 83 the surface highway meets MD 25 (Falls Road), Roland Avenue, and Charles Street within the Hampden section of the city.

06/27/10

Distance sign for the upcoming interchanges at Druid Hill Park / 28th Street and U.S. 1/40 Truck / North Avenue on Interstate 83 south. The Jones Falls Expressway enters the Hampden neighborhood from 41st Street southward to Druid Hill Park.

06/27/10

Southbound reassurance shield posted ahead of the viaduct above Jones Falls.

06/27/10

Interstate 83 (Jones Falls Expressway) remains elevated from Cold Springs Lane southward to Union Avenue east of the Woodberry section of the city. The freeway parallels or passes over Jones Falls. Constructed in 1959, the elevated roadway was rebuilt in 1987.

08/27/05

10/10/04

One-half mile sign bridge for the Exit 7 stack interchange with 28th Street and Druid Park Lake Drive. Druid Park Lake Drive skims Druid Lake between 28th and 29th Streets at Interstate 83 west to MD 129 (Druid Hill Avenue & McColloh Street).

06/27/10

A wye interchange adds an auxiliary lane from MD 25 (Falls Road) to Exit 7 on Interstate 83 south. Wyman Park Drive passes over the freeway above the ramp departure to Druid Park Lake Drive and 28th Street. 28th Street stems east from Druid Park Lake Drive and Interstate 83 into Charles Village to MD 45 (Greenmount Avenue).

06/27/10

Interstate 83 southbound at Exit 7 for Druid Park Lake Drive west and 28th Street east. 29th Street forms the westbound beginning of Lake Drive with the ramps from the JFX north and south. Purchased by the city of Baltimore in 1860, the 744-acre Druid Hill Park is home to several 18th-century buildings and the Maryland Zoo at Baltimore.

06/27/10

A view of the arch bridge that brings 29th Street into the fold of Exit 7 on Interstate 83 southbound. Several flyover ramps curve tightly to join the 28th & 29th one way street couplet with Druid Park Lake Drive and the JFX.

10/10/04

Exit 6 for U.S. 1/40 Truck (North Avenue) resides just south of the Druid Hill Park stack interchange near Bolton Hill. U.S. 1 follows North Avenue between its one way street couplet of Fulton & Monroe Streets east to Belair Road. U.S. 40 Truck is vastly unsigned on its route of North Avenue between Hilton Parkway and Belair Road.

06/27/10

More of the ramp structure associated with the Exit 7 interchange. Ramps from Interstate 83 north to 28th Street east and Druid Park Lake Drive west are visible above. The Druid Park Lake Drive transition to 28th Street itself is visible in the form of the overpass in the foreground.

06/27/10

29th Street westbound motorists join Interstate 83 southbound to form an auxiliary lane to Exit 6 (North Avenue). U.S. 1/40 Truck overlap between Fulton & Monroe Streets to Erdman Avenue near Clifton Park. The U.S. 40 Truck route predates the completion of Interstates 95 & 895 across the Inner Harbor of the Patapsco River. U.S. 40 itself travels Franklin & Mulberry Streets and Orleans Street through the northern reaches of the Baltimore central business district.

06/27/10

Exit 6 leaves Interstate 83 southbound for U.S. 1/40 Truck (North Avenue). The ramp joins adjacent Mount Royal Avenue ahead of its intersection with North Avenue. Mount Royal Avenue parallels the Jones Falls Expressway from U.S. 1 southeast to Guilford Avenue after the Exit 4 interchange.

06/27/10

The Jones Falls Expressway passes over North Avenue en route to downtown Baltimore and the Exit 5 loop ramp to Maryland Avenue at Oliver Street.

06/27/10

The Howard Street Bridge passes over Interstate 83 between North Avenue and the Maryland Avenue off-ramp (Exit 5). A rainbow colored theme adorns the steel arch bridge between Mount Royal Avenue and Falls Road.

08/27/05

Lowering toward the central business district, Interstate 83 kinks eastward and travels below grade to Chase Street. Exit 5 ties into Maryland Avenue at Oliver Street, one block off Mt. Royal Avenue.

06/27/10

Interstate 83 passes under a MARC overpass after Howard Street. A major reconstruction project saw completion in 2004 involving resurfacing and bridge repairs for the Jones Falls Expressway through downtown Baltimore. Known as the JFX Phase II Project, it was started by the City of Baltimore in November 2002.

10/10/04

Exit 5 departs Interstate 83 (Jones Falls Expressway) for the Bolton Hill section of Baltimore north of downtown. MD 2 parallels Maryland Avenue two blocks to the east and meets the freeway at Exit 4.

08/27/05

Exit 4 quickly leaves Interstate 83 southbound for MD 2 (Saint Paul Street) south and Mount Royal Avenue west at the Charles Street over crossing. MD 2 comprises the one way street couplet of St. Paul Street (south) and Calvert Street (north) between U.S. 1/40 Truck (North Avenue) and downtown Baltimore.

06/27/10

Exit 4 partitions into a turn lane onto Mt. Royal Avenue west and MD 2 (St. Paul Street) south. MD 2 constitutes a 80.56 mile route from Baltimore south to Solomons Island. Locally, the state route joins downtown with South Baltimore and Cherry Hill.

08/27/05

Button copy overhead that was posted for the Exit 3 off-ramp to Guilford Avenue on Interstate 83 southbound between the Charles and St. Paul Street overpasses. This assembly was removed and a new half mile overhead was added to the bridge in the background by 2005.

10/10/04

Guilford Avenue travels south from North Avenue alongside Interstate 83 between Mount Royal Avenue and Pleasant Street. Exit 3 joins the road ahead of Reed Street.

10/10/04

Interstate 83 curves back to the south on its final approach toward downtown Baltimore and Fells Point. Passing over the JFX here is Calvert Street (MD 2 north) and Guilford Avenue.

10/10/04

Hidden in the shadows of the Guilford Avenue over crossing is the 0.25 mile overhead for the Guilford Avenue off-ramp. Interstate 83 passes under Preston and Chase Streets before Exit 3 departs.

10/10/04

08/27/05

Exit 3 parts ways with Interstate 83 (Jones Falls Expressway) southbound for the adjacent Guilford Avenue. Guilford Avenue intersects Read, Madison, and Monument Streets before reaching U.S. 40 (Orleans Street). There is no direct ramp to U.S. 40 otherwise.

08/27/10

The downtown skyline comes into view as Interstate 83 nears its southern terminus at Fells Point. A left side off-ramp joins the JFX with Pleasant Street one block south of U.S. 40 (Orleans Street) at Holliday Street.

08/27/10

08/27/05

U.S. 40 (Orleans Street) passes over the JFX at the Exit 2 ramp departure to Pleasant and Holliday Streets. Interstate 83 southbound defaults onto President Street within one quarter mile at the intersection with Fayette Street (Exit 1).

06/27/10

Passing under the Orleans Street bridge on Interstate 83 southbound in downtown Baltimore. Fayette Street constitutes a main thoroughfare into the central business district from the JFX west to MD 2 (St. Paul & Calvert Streets).

08/27/05

The final southbound Interstate 83 reassurance shield retains the state name. The viaduct expands to four lanes ahead in anticipation of the Fayette Street intersection (Exit 1).

08/27/10

Expressway ends sign bridge posted as the Jones Falls Expressway descends onto the city street grid of Baltimore. As originally planned, Interstate 83 was to continue southeast through Fells Point and then east along the path of Boston Street to Interstate 95. Fortunately for Fells Point the project never came to fruition. The historic neighborhood is a cultural and entertainment hearth for the city of Baltimore.

10/10/04

Interstate 83 concludes ahead as Shot Tower overlooks from the east. The Shot Tower is a National Historic Landmark that was used in the creation of lead shot from 1828 to 1892. Molten lead was dropped from a platform at the top of the 234 foot tower into a cooling tank below to create spherical lead shots for rifles. Shot Tower is located at 801 E. Fayette Street.¹

10/10/04

The end of Interstate 83 and the Jones Falls Expressway. Traffic continuing straight enters President Street, a six lane surface arterial, en route to Fells Point. "Exit 1" consists of the right turn from the JFX onto Fayette Street westbound into downtown. Use President Street south to Lombard Street west for Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor district.

06/27/10

10/10/04

President Street continues the Interstate 83 freeway southward from a signalized intersection at Fayette Street. Fayette Street heads east of the JFX end and parallels U.S. 40 (Orleans Street). The USGS Quad refers to Fayette Street as U.S. 40 Alternate.

06/27/10

One block further south on President Street at Baltimore Street. Baltimore Street flows east from downtown to President Street. Becoming a two-way road, Baltimore Street continues east to Patterson Park.

08/27/05