Watch for traffic changes this weekend on Charles Street around the Baltimore Beltway as highway crews make a big step forward in work on the Charles Street bridge.

The roundabout at Charles and Bellona Avenue will be removed starting Friday at 7 p.m., according to a release from state highway officials. Crews will also activate two new traffic signals, one at the location of the former roundabout and the other on the ramp from the outer loop to Charles Street.

Also, on Monday, a new ramp from Charles Street to Interstate 695 West will open, and the stretch of Bellona Avenue that used to serve as an onramp to the beltway will be open to local business traffic only.

In case of inclement weather, the work will be moved to the weekend of June 15.

The $43.6 million bridge reconstruction project at Charles Street began in late 2009 and is slated for completion this summer.

The release advises drivers in the area this weekend:

The Charles Street Bridge and interchange will remain open during the weekend traffic shift; however, the bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and the right-turn loop ramp from northbound Charles Street to westbound I-695 (Outer Loop) will be closed until 5 a.m. Monday, June 11.  All motorists traveling from northbound Charles Street to westbound I-695 will be directed to stay left, go through the roundabout area and use the exit ramp on Bellona Avenue Extended.

SHA advises motorists traveling to and from the Charles Street interchange area to plan ahead for extra travel time and look ahead for Maryland State Police, flagpersons, and construction personnel and equipment in the interchange work zone.  SHA advises motorists traveling from I-695 to downtown Towson or the Lutherville area east of Charles Street (MD 45) to use the York Road interchange at I-695 (Exit 26) this weekend.

For questions, contact the State Highway Administration's project field office at 410-296-9041 or by email at shadistrict4@sha.state.md.us. 

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