I-95 Toll Lane Extension Project: Proposed Changes Spark Hearing

With construction on the Interstate 95 Express Toll Lanes extension project underway, the Maryland Transportation Authority has requested modifications to the already approved plans. Work would impact the stretch of I-95 between MD 43 and MD 24.

Because one of the changes impacts nontidal wetlands, the Maryland Department of the Environment requires a permit that has prompted a public hearing.

Authorities have asked to make the following modifications to the plan:

• Work on two noncompliant noise walls along I-95 north and south (Baltimore County), impacting nontidal wetlands, the 25-foot nontidal wetland buffer, streams and the 100-year nontidal floodplain
• Design changes, including a revised fence line along I-95 from MD 152 to MD 24
• Increase the Raphel Road intersection limits
• Full replacement of bridges over Big and Little Gunpowder Falls
• Design changes to erosion and sediment control and stormwater management (Baltimore and Harford counties)
• Transferring a portion of the work from the Section 100 project from Cowenton Road to New Forge Road that has not been constructed (originally permitted under 05-NT-0357)

Here is more detailed information on the proposed changes.

Already one organization has voiced concern about environmental impacts of replacing the bridges over the Gunpowder Falls.

"Gunpowder Riverkeeper and others oppose the MDE permit application because it states that some of the mitigation of stream channel impacts will occur off-site" in Owings Mills, according to a statement from the riverkeeper. "This mitigation plan does nothing to address the actual, localized, project impacts on the waterways that will be directly impacted by the I-95 ETL’s."

The proposal calls for mitigation both on-site and off-site in multiple areas — Whitemarsh Run southeast of US 40 between Ebenezer Road and Reames Road in Baltimore County, Eccleston adjacent to Greenspring Valley Road and Park Heights Avenue in Baltimore County, and along I-95 southbound in Harford County.

The Gunpowder Riverkeeper reports it met with Maryland Transportation Authority in fall 2020 about the environmental impacts and "still has concerns about the impacts of the project on the environment including sensitive lands, plants and fish."

The public hearing will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 4; register here. Participants may call 1-877-309-2074 and enter access code 728-844-619 to listen to the public hearing.

People may send comments and requests by March 18 to the Maryland Department of the Environment, Attn: Emily Dolbin, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230 or at Emily.Dolbin@maryland.gov or call 667-219-3279.