Daily Record

The state is set to open a new interchange between Interstates 95 and 695 north of the city Friday morning, as it continues to roll out the first section of a massive project to add express toll lanes to I-95.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2016, though some of the toll lanes could open before that, but Maryland Transportation Authority officials say their redesign of the junction between the two highways will make for safer travel. On Friday at 5 a.m., the state is opening the interchange between southbound I-95 and eastbound I-695.

In the long run, the redevelopment of the entire interchange will make room for the development of the toll lanes, but David LaBella, project manager with the transportation authority, said there are short-term improvements as well. Many of the interchanges took drivers from the left lane of one highway, and then put them on the left lane of another.

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The state is planning a major realignment of traffic in coming weeks to go along with the project, as well. In July, the state expects to reverse the split between southbound I-95 and southbound I-895.

Drivers who now split off southbound I-95 for southbound I-895 toward Annapolis exit on the left. After the change is in place, they will move to the right.

The express toll lane project was approved in 2005, and will cost about $1.5 billion, paid for with state money using bonds and toll collections. The lanes are expected to give drivers the option of paying more to travel in a less congested area.

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The state began opening interchange ramps last fall, and will continue throughout the summer. The ramp from westbound I-695 to southbound I-95 will open in July, and the ramp from eastbound I-695 to northbound I-95 will open later in the summer.

Before Friday, there will be several temporary traffic shifts as the state prepares for the ramp opening. From Thursday at 10 p.m. to the opening on Friday, all lanes of eastbound I-695 around the interchange will be closed, as will the ramps from southbound I-95 to both sides of I-695 and the ramp from eastbound I-695 to northbound I-95.