Casino Construction Project To Shut Down Parts Of Russell Street Starting Monday
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Major traffic delays could be coming to downtown. This week a monthlong closure begins on Russell Street, the main artery into the city from 295.
Monique Griego has more on what you can expect.
Drivers coming into the city off 295 could see some major backups starting Monday night. That's when a casino construction project will shut down parts of Russell Street.
"The people who will be most affected are those that usually come up I-95 and take the ramp to Russell Street. That ramp will be open but it will be stop sign conditions," said Frank Murphy, Baltimore City Department of Transportation.
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation says the closure is so crews can relocate a gas line for the new Horseshoe Casino.
The project will take about six months, and during that time the left lanes of Russell in both directions will be off limits to drivers.
"I think it's probably barely adequate as it is, and to add all that extra traffic is going to create a problem," said Dave Sauer, driver.
The city is advising people to take alternate routes like 395 or the Washington Blvd exit.
In addition to the Russell Street closure, Warner Street, the side street behind the casino, which is mostly used for stadium traffic, will be permanently closed later this week.
"You won't be able to use that route starting next Thursday. We'll firm that up later in the week," Murphy said.
While Ravens tailgaters avoided problems this Sunday, they aren't looking forward to what traffic will look like on future game days.
"You're going to have people coming into the game trying to leave. That's going to be a real mess," one man said.
The city is hoping people are patient and prepare.
"Use alternate routes. Bear with us. It is going to take a number of months," Murphy said.
The entire project to move the gas line will take nine months, but Russell is only expected to be closed for six months of that.
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