Lane Closures on Baltimore Street and I-695 Planned for Thursday Commute

Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in the Baltimore metropolitan area should prepare for a mix of scheduled maintenance and ongoing infrastructure projects this Thursday, February 19, 2026. While the morning rush is expected to start relatively clear on the major interstates, significant lane restrictions in the downtown core and continued expansion work on the I-695 Beltway will require extra travel time during mid-day and evening hours.

Downtown Roadworks and Lane Closures

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation has confirmed several weekday lane closures that will impact traffic flow in the heart of the city. Drivers should be aware of the following daily restrictions occurring between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM:

• Baltimore Street (Eastbound): The left lane will be closed at the intersection of Eutaw Street.
• Eutaw Street (Southbound): The right lane will be restricted at the Baltimore Street intersection.
• Guilford Avenue (Southbound): The left lane will be closed at Baltimore Street.
• Guilford Avenue (Full-Time): The road remains reduced to a single travel lane between East Lexington and East Fayette Streets.
• North Charles Street: Utility work continues with a right lane closure between Saratoga and Pleasant Streets.

Additionally, the Inner Harbor Intersection Improvement Project continues on Pratt Street. Motorists can expect nightly lane closures between Light and President Streets starting at 9:00 PM, which may affect those traveling late on Thursday evening.

I-695 and I-895 Harbor Tunnel Updates

Major improvements to the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) continue to affect the western and northern sides of the city. As part of the Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) project, motorists should expect weekly lane, ramp, and shoulder closures between I-70 and MD 43 (White Marsh Boulevard). In the Pikesville area, construction crews are active with concrete barrier shifts between Milford Mill Road and Greenspring Avenue. The inner loop (EB I-695) will see left lane closures tonight starting at 8:00 PM.

For those using the I-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, overnight maintenance is scheduled for Thursday night. Two-way traffic operations will be in effect within the open tunnel, likely causing delays of 15 to 20 minutes for late-night travelers.

Public Transit Notices

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) reminds commuters that the MARC Penn Line schedule was recently adjusted as of February 16. Passengers should verify their departure times before heading to the station. Furthermore, riders are encouraged to begin the transition away from physical CharmCards, which are officially scheduled to be retired on March 1, 2026. Transitioning to the mobile CharmPass now will prevent service disruptions next month.