MD 295 Third Lane Widening. Linthicum, Maryland.

The Maryland State Highway Administration initiated the MD 295 (Baltimore-Washington Parkway) widening project to add a third freeway lane northbound and southbound, from I-195 to I-695. The WRA team’s primary challenge was to add this capacity while providing a design worthy of this designated scenic byway, setting an aesthetic standard for the corridor, meeting all technical requirements, and containing project costs. Using an integrated team approach, the design avoided right-of-way acquisition and preserved mature forest on both sides of the highway. For visual and environmental reasons, a four-foot asphalt and six-foot stabilized topsoil shoulder were used instead of a standard ten-foot wide left asphalt shoulder to reduce pavement areas. Visual impacts of traffic barrier were reduced by establishing clear areas next to the road, using cable barrier where possible, and minimizing lengths of standard metal guardrail.