Between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, a cargo vessel struck a support column of the I-695 Key Bridge. The strike caused a complete collapse of the bridge into the Patapsco River. There is a shutdown of traffic along that portion of I-695, which has more than 1.3 million truck crossing per year (average about 3,600 per day). This is a primary route entering and exiting the Port of Baltimore.  A state of emergency has been declared by our governor, and we are in contact with various state and federal agencies about the impact this will have on trucking.  Should you want to push something out to your members that travel in Maryland, below is a summary of alternate routes you may share.

Route alternatives due to Key Bridge collapse.

As a result of the I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike, motorists must avoid the southeast corridor of I-695. The I-695 Outer Loop is closed at MD 10 (exit 2) and the Inner Loop is closed at MD 157/Peninsula Expressway (exit 43). Alternate routes will be the I-95 or I-895 tunnels; however, trucks should be aware of the following restrictions on those roadways.

Hazardous materials are prohibited in the tunnels and should use the western section of I-695 to travel around Baltimore. This includes vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, and significant amounts of radioactive materials.

Vehicles in excess of 13’-6”, in height, or 96” (8 feet) in width are prohibited from using the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). The I-95 Ft. McHenry Tunnel restrictions are height – 14’ - 6”; width – 11’ - 0”.

Louis Campion, President & CEO

Maryland Motor Truck Association