All Lanes On Russell Street Back Open After Weeks Of Construction
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's welcome news for drivers as all lanes on Russell Street are back open after weeks of construction.
Rochelle Ritchie has more on the construction's final stages and relieved drivers.
The morning commute Monday will feel a bit easier for those heading in and out of downtown Baltimore. For weeks, it has taken some drivers 30 minutes to go one-mile.
Traffic along Russell Street moves with ease in and out of downtown Baltimore.
"Commuters to the south have been having to put up with a lot, and we feel their pain. A lot of us head that way as well," said Frank Murphy, Department of Transportation.
After weeks of construction along the highly traveled lanes, Russell Street is back open.
"The commuters Monday will have a better time. The third lane of outbound Russell Street will open for next week. Now, the inbound will still be limited to two because the BGE work won't be done until mid-August," Murphy said.
It was a frustrating commute for drivers, who dealt with traffic jams that moved at a snail's pace, sometimes, if at all.
"It was a mess. It was a real hazard as well as a headache getting back and forth on the Beltway when you work in the DMV area," said driver Gregory James.
The street was shut down as crews moved utility lines, resurfaces the road, and not to mention, the new Horseshoe Casino creating entrances from the street to their building.
While drivers are relieved the street is smooth and running with ease, they expect that to change once the casino opens up.
"It's going to get worse. But, you know, we deal with it," said driver Matthew Brooks.
Transportation officials say the peak hours at the casino will not overlap the peak commuting hours.
The construction on Russell Street is being paid for by the Horseshoe Casino.
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