Maryland Transportation Authority

The Maryland Transportation Authority is replacing the Cowenton Avenue and Joppa Road Bridges that carry county roadways over I-95. The new bridges will be longer to allow for the addition of Express Toll Lanes (ETLs) along I-95. They also will be wider to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists as well as to improve safety. The new Joppa Road Bridge will be constructed in the same location as the existing bridge. The new Cowenton Avenue Bridge will be built just north of the existing bridge. Printer friendly fact sheet [pdf 264kb].

About Construction

Construction of the two bridges which began in Spring 2006, will last about 18 months and will follow this process:

• First, Joppa Road Bridge traffic was detoured to the Cowenton Avenue Bridge.
• Then, the Joppa Road Bridge was closed and demolished.
• New Joppa Road and Cowenton Avenue Bridges are expected to open to traffic by the end of July 2007.
• Finally, the former Cowenton Avenue Bridge will be demolished in Fall 2007.

Bridge Improvements

• Two lanes, which is the same configuration as the existing bridge;
• Five-foot sidewalks and wider shoulders for bike paths; and
• A length of 302 feet, which is 78 feet longer than the existing bridge.

The new Joppa Road Bridge will feature:

• Two lanes, which is the same configuration as the existing bridge; and
• Five-foot sidewalks and wider shoulders for bike paths; and
• A length of 298 feet, which is 56 feet longer than the existing bridge.

Related Construction Projects

• Cowenton Avenue Bridge Replacement (underway)
• Rossville Boulevard Bridge Replacement (underway)
• I-95/I-895(N) Interchange Modifications (underway)
• I-95/I-695 Interchange Modifications (underway)
• I-95/MD 43 Interchange Modifications (future)