Drivers traveling along the Interstate 95 corridor north of downtown Baltimore on Thursday morning will notice shifted traffic patterns in preparation for the weekend opening of the highway's new express toll lanes.
The changes will be introduced between late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning near the two points where toll lane traffic will re-enter standard travel lanes on northbound I-95 and southbound Interstate 895, the Maryland Transportation Authority said Wednesday.
The tolled lanes, two in each direction, run for about 8 miles along the highway, in between the northbound and southbound traffic lanes. They are scheduled to open to traffic on Saturday, and will be free to use for a week as travelers get accustomed to how they operate.
Round-trip, peak-hour commutes via the express lanes will cost drivers $3.50 after the first week. Off-peak and overnight rates vary. The tolls are collected electronically, via E-ZPass, or mailed — at a higher rate — to drivers' homes.
Starting Thursday morning, drivers along northbound I-95 will notice an added lane begin on the highway's lefthand side where the toll lanes end, near Cowenton Avenue, the MdTA said. The highway's righthand lane will end about one mile farther north.
Drivers along southbound I-895 will notice an added lefthand lane where the toll lanes end, near Moravia Road, the MdTA said. The highway's righthand lane will end about a quarter of a mile farther south.
Drivers also will notice MdTA crews on the corridor making final preparations for the opening of the toll lanes — including uncovering related signage — and are asked to use caution.
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