Icy Conditions and Major Construction: Expect Significant Delays as Baltimore Reopens Today

Morning Overview: Caution Advised Following Winter Storm Cleanup

Baltimore commuters should prepare for a challenging Monday morning as the city and surrounding counties officially reopen following last week's severe winter storm. While major thoroughfares like I-95 and I-83 have been largely cleared, residual ice remains a significant hazard on secondary roads and residential streets. With Baltimore City Public Schools resuming in-person operations today, a heavy volume of school buses and parent commuters will add to the morning congestion. The Baltimore City Department of Transportation reminds motorists that while the State of Emergency has been lifted, the cleanup of side streets is still ongoing.

Roadworks and Major Artery Updates

• I-695 (Baltimore Beltway): Ongoing construction between Pikesville and Towson continues to impact traffic flow. Motorists should expect lane shifts and the presence of concrete barriers as crews work on the center median. High-tech sensors are in place to monitor flow, but the combination of construction and icy shoulders necessitates reduced speeds.
• Falls Road: Despite being 99 percent complete, the water line replacement project between the city line and Brightfield Road continues to cause daytime lane closures. With over 18,000 vehicles using this route daily, significant delays are expected during peak hours as crews finalize restoration.
• I-95 Southbound (Harford County): A split-lane traffic pattern remains in effect at the MD 24 interchange. Drivers are urged to stay alert for signs as the left lane is separated from the right three lanes by barrier walls to accommodate bridge work over Winters Run.
• I-95 Cecil County: Reconstruction of the Belvidere Road bridge continues to cause minor delays with alternating traffic patterns. This project is expected to remain in place through the summer.

MTA Maryland and Public Transit Alerts

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has issued several service alerts for Monday, February 2. Commuters using public transportation are encouraged to check schedules before leaving, as cold temperatures may affect equipment availability.

• Commuter Bus: Multiple routes, including the 305 (Columbia/Silver Spring to D.C.) and the 410 (Churchville to Baltimore), are operating under service alerts due to lingering road conditions in residential pickup zones.
• Metro SubwayLink: Minor delays are reported on the line between Owings Mills and Johns Hopkins due to weather-related maintenance.
• LocalLink and CityLink: Detours are currently active for LocalLink 94 (Fort McHenry - Sinai Hospital) and CityLink Pink (Cedonia - West Baltimore MARC).
• MARC Train: The Penn Line is operating with schedule adjustments today; specifically, check for changes to Train 554.

Commuter Safety Tips

Safety officials recommend building an extra 20 to 30 minutes into your commute this morning. If you are walking to transit stops, be mindful of ice on sidewalks and near intersections. Drivers should maintain a safe following distance and be particularly cautious of black ice in shaded areas and on bridges, where surface temperatures remain below freezing.