Baltimore, MD — A massive infrastructure project aimed at relieving congestion on one of Maryland's busiest roadways is steadily progressing, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). The agency says that by 2028, drivers can expect smoother commutes along the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) thanks to a combination of new travel lanes and cutting-edge traffic management technology.

The key feature of the $1 billion project is the implementation of a Part-Time Shoulder Use (PTSU) lane—a dedicated shoulder that will open during peak morning and evening hours to give drivers an extra lane to move through dense traffic more efficiently.

“We’re working very hard with our contracting partner to get this done quickly,” said Will Pines, Maryland’s State Highway Administrator. “So that the benefit of that additional travel lane during peak periods will be available to help everybody save time.”

Scope of Construction

Work is currently focused on the stretch between Interstate 70 (I-70) and Interstate 83 (I-83), but will eventually extend from Lillian Holt Drive, just south of the I-95/I-695 interchange, to cover almost the entire 38-mile loop. SHA officials say the completed network will significantly improve rush hour flow for thousands of commuters.

“During peak periods, morning and afternoon rush hour in particular, there’s an extra lane to move congestion faster,” added Sean Campion, SHA’s Deputy Director.

Smart Infrastructure in Action

A standout feature of the I-695 project is its integration of a new Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), a smart traffic solution designed to monitor the highway for real-time incidents. Cameras, sensors, and automated alerts will allow SHA staff to detect crashes, breakdowns, or roadway debris and respond immediately to manage lane use.

“We’ll be able to tell if there was a disabled vehicle, an accident or debris in the roadway either before we open the PTSU lane or while we’re running the PTSU lane, 24/7,” Campion said.

The ITS will serve as the backbone of this modernized highway system, enabling flexible control over traffic patterns based on real-world data rather than static scheduling.

Challenges and Resilience

The ambitious timeline was impacted by a tragic March 2023 crash that killed six highway workers. The incident temporarily paused construction, but also reaffirmed the urgency of safer, smarter infrastructure design.

Despite the setback, SHA says the section between I-70 and I-83 is still on track for completion by late summer 2027, with the remaining segments targeted for 2028.

A Parallel Effort: Rebuilding the Key Bridge

Coinciding with the I-695 work is the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in March 2024 after the cargo ship Dali lost power and collided with one of its support columns. The incident killed six construction workers and triggered a federal emergency response.

The new Key Bridge, like the I-695 upgrades, is expected to be completed by 2028, with the federal government fully funding its estimated $2 billion price tag.

Congress passed a comprehensive disaster relief bill in December 2024, allocating funding for the rebuild within a $100 billion emergency infrastructure package.

Once finished, the twin projects—expansion of the Baltimore Beltway and reconstruction of the Key Bridge—are expected to dramatically improve both the flow and safety of regional travel.

“These aren’t just traffic projects,” one SHA official said. “They’re community investments that help reconnect people and places safely, efficiently, and with long-term resilience in mind.”

Originally reported by Stephon Dingle in CBS News.