City Notice Roundup: Weather Thaw, Roadwork, and Public Reviews

Weather Advisory: Code Blue Ends as Temperatures Thaw

Following a period of dangerously low wind chills and the issuance of a Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert earlier this week, the Baltimore City Health Department has confirmed the expiration of the alert as of Wednesday morning. For Thursday, January 22, 2026, residents can expect a brief reprieve from the sub-freezing conditions. Temperatures are forecasted to recover into the upper 30s, potentially reaching the upper 40s by late afternoon.

While the immediate threat of extreme cold has subsided, city health officials continue to urge caution as another Arctic front is expected to arrive by the weekend. Residents are encouraged to use this window of milder weather to ensure their homes are winterized and to check on vulnerable neighbors.

Transportation & Infrastructure: Downtown and Beltway Roadwork

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) have several active projects impacting commuters today. The following traffic modifications are in effect through Friday, January 23:

• Downtown Road Closures: Various temporary lane closures and traffic modifications are active in the downtown district to facilitate infrastructure repairs. Motorists should anticipate delays and are encouraged to use navigation apps for real-time detours.
• I-695 Maintenance: The State Highway Administration is continuing its work on the Baltimore Beltway. Daytime intermittent shoulder and single-lane closures are scheduled on both the Inner and Outer Loops (I-695) between I-83 and US 40. These closures typically occur between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Public Works: Regular Trash Schedules and Tree Mulching

The Baltimore City and County Departments of Public Works (DPW) have confirmed that trash and recycling collections are operating on a normal schedule this week. This follows a clarification to correct a previous calendar error regarding the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Residents should place their bins out on their regular service days.

Additionally, the Sisson Street Residential Recycling Center continues to offer free Christmas tree mulching services. This program remains active through February 7, 2026. Residents must remove all ornaments, tinsel, and decorations before drop-off and are encouraged to bring their own containers to collect the resulting mulch.

Community Planning: Feedback on Housing Regulations

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has released the third draft of the Inclusionary Housing Rules and Regulations. This draft is currently available for public review. The city is seeking community feedback to ensure equitable housing opportunities across all neighborhoods. All written comments must be submitted no later than February 15, 2026. Furthermore, residents are reminded that the Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act, which implemented new safety standards for multi-family properties, is now in full effect as of January 1.