Commuter Alert: Major I-695 Lane Shifts and Metro SubwayLink Delays This Friday

Morning Traffic Overview for Friday, March 6, 2026

Baltimore commuters should prepare for a challenging Friday morning as several major infrastructure projects and recent transit incidents are converging to impact travel times across the region. As the lead editor for baltimore.news, we recommend allowing at least an extra 20 to 30 minutes for your commute, particularly if your route involves the northern Beltway or the Metro SubwayLink.

I-695 Beltway: Significant Lane Shifts and Construction

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has reached a critical phase in the Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) project on Interstate 695. For the week of March 1 through March 8, 2026, crews are actively shifting all travel lanes on both the Inner and Outer Loops from the left to the right side of the roadway. This work is concentrated on the stretch from Pikesville to Towson (I-70 to I-83).

• Center Work Zones: The shift is designed to create a protected work zone in the center of the Beltway. Motorists should be wary of new concrete barrier placements and narrow lane widths.
• Reduced Speeds: Speed cameras remain highly active in these work zones. Expect heavy congestion during peak hours as drivers adjust to the new traffic patterns.
• Alternative Routes: If traveling between Baltimore County and the city, consider using I-83 or Maryland 41 (Perring Parkway) as alternatives, though these arterials are also expected to see increased volume.

Public Transit: Metro SubwayLink and MARC Train Alerts

Public transportation users are advised of potential residual service impacts following a major incident earlier this week. On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, service was suspended near the Shot Tower Station on East Baltimore Street due to a fatal incident involving an MTA train. While regular service has largely resumed, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) notes that ongoing investigations and safety checks may cause sporadic delays throughout the Friday morning rush.

• Metro SubwayLink: Maintain awareness of platform announcements at Shot Tower and Lexington Market. Bus bridges that were previously in place have been demobilized, but schedule gaps may persist.
• MARC Penn Line: Commuters using the New Carrollton station should be aware that elevators remain out of service as of this morning. Passengers requiring accessible boarding should consider using the Seabrook or Odenton stations.
• Schedule Changes: Reminder that the MARC Penn Line implemented a minor schedule adjustment on February 16; ensure your CharmPass app is updated with the current departure times.

Major Arteries and Tunnel Reminders

On the Westbound I-70 bridge over the Patapsco River and CSX railroad, overnight bridge joint repairs have been ongoing. While double-lane closures are scheduled to lift by the early morning hours, residual bottlenecking near the Baltimore/Howard County line is common as lanes reopen. Additionally, with the Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction still underway (slated for 2028 completion), the Fort McHenry and Harbor Tunnels remain the primary bypass routes, leading to consistent heavy volume on I-95 and I-895 throughout the morning.