Crews repairing damaged sump-pump discharge and water lines within the Fort McHenry Tunnel have made enough progress in recent days to limit ongoing bore closures to overnight hours, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
The agency, which operates the state's tolled facilities, has been alternately closing the two northbound bores of the tunnel since last weekend, when the problems were first identified.
Crews determined Wednesday the discharge line "was frozen and blocked by solid ice in multiple locations," and used steam to break through the ice and allow the pump to "start pushing water through the discharge line," MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner said in a statement Thursday.
"Over the next few nights, we're taking advantage of planned bore closures for maintenance so crews can monitor pump and discharge-line activity and continue repairing the broken water line," Gartner said. "Crews also are inspecting the water lines beneath the tunnel's southbound bores to rule out any potential issues."
One of the two bores will be closed from 7 p.m. Thursday until 4:30 a.m. Friday, 9 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Saturday, 9 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Sunday, and 7 p.m. Sunday until 4:30 a.m. Monday.
Drivers will be directed through the open bore.
The MdTA did not say whether closures would continue after Monday morning.
twitter.com/rectorsun