Interstate 795 (Maryland)

Interstate 795 (I-795), also known as the Northwest Expressway, is a nine-mile (14 km) auxiliary Interstate Highway linking Baltimore's northwestern suburbs of Pikesville, Owings Mills, and Reisterstown, Maryland, to the Baltimore Beltway (I-695). The route bypasses Maryland Route 140 (MD 140; Reisterstown Road), carrying part of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)'s Baltimore Metro SubwayLink in its median for a four-mile (6.4 km) stretch, and provides direct access to the former Owings Mills Mall. It never connects to its parent, I-95, except via I-695.

Interstate 795 marker
Interstate 795
Northwest Expressway
Map
I-795 highlighted in red
Route information
Auxiliary route of I-95
Maintained by MDSHA
Length8.99 mi[1][2] (14.47 km)
Existed1985–present
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end I-695 in Pikesville
Major intersectionsOwings Mills Boulevard in Owings Mills
North end MD 140 in Reisterstown
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMaryland
CountiesBaltimore
Highway system
MD 794 MD 795

Route description

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View south along I-795 from McDonogh Road, with the Baltimore Metro SubwayLink tracks in the median

I-795 begins in Pikesville at a directional T interchange with I-695 (Baltimore Beltway), which heads south toward Glen Burnie and east toward Towson. I-695 provides access to I-95 in the directions of Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia to highways into Baltimore. Immediately to the east of the interchange is Old Court station of the MTA's Baltimore Metro SubwayLink, which passes through the interchange and settles into the median of the six-lane freeway as they cross Gwynns Falls. I-795 parallels and has two crossings of CSX Transportation's Hanover Subdivision as the freeway and transit line head northwest. The subway line ends just north of its and the highway's second crossing of Gwynns Falls at the terminal Owings Mills station.[2][3]

 
View south at the north end of I-795 at MD 140 in Reisterstown

Immediately to the northwest of the subway terminus is I-795's interchange with Owings Mills Boulevard (unsigned MD 940), which is a partial cloverleaf interchange with flyover ramps from northbound I-795 to southbound Owings Mills Boulevard and from the southbound boulevard to the southbound Interstate. The interchange also features direct ramps with the Metro Centre at Owings Mills to and from the direction of Baltimore and direct ramps with the subway station to and from the direction of Reisterstown. I-795 continues northwest as a four-lane freeway. The highway has a partial cloverleaf interchange with Franklin Boulevard before reaching its northern terminus at MD 140 on the edge of Reisterstown. The terminus consists of direct ramps with MD 140 to and from the direction of Westminster and an intersection with MD 140 (Westminster Pike) and MD 795, an unnamed and unsigned connector between the intersection and an intersection with MD 30 and MD 128 on the north side of Reisterstown.[2][3]

 
View north from near the south end of I-795 at I-695 in Pikesville

History

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The Northwest Expressway was one of the first freeways planned for construction in the state of Maryland. The first four-mile (6.4 km) section to the Owings Mills exit was completed in 1985; the remaining five miles (8.0 km) were completed in 1987.

The original plan was for the highway to run into the city of Baltimore along a similar route to that of the Baltimore Metro SubwayLink. Plans to extend the highway beyond its current configuration have not been sought out by highway officials in Maryland. This alignment would most likely have terminated at the northern terminus of Wabash Avenue (at Patterson Avenue), which parallels the elevated section of the Baltimore Metro SubwayLink.

Future

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MDOT SHA plans to construct a diamond interchange at Dolfield Boulevard in the future. The construction of the interchange is to widen that section of I 795 from four to six lanes, relocate Tollgate Road, and construct new sidewalk, bicycle, drainage, stormwater management, and traffic and landscape upgrades. It would also improve access between Red Run Boulevard and I 795. A public open house was held at New Town High School on May 1, 2024.[4]

Exit list

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The entire route is in Baltimore County.

Locationmi
[2]
kmExitDestinationsNotes
Pikesville0.000.001  I-695 – Glen Burnie, TowsonSigned as exits 1A (east) and 1B (south); also serves Pikesville, BWI Marshall Airport, and Port of Baltimore; exit 19 on I-695
Owings Mills3.936.324  Owings Mills Boulevard (MD 940) – MetroSigned as exits 4A-B southbound; also serves Stevenson University, Owings Mills Town Center, Randallstown
5.909.506Dolfield BoulevardProposed
Reisterstown6.5510.547Franklin BoulevardSigned as exits 7A (east) and 7B (west) northbound
8.8814.299A 
 
 
 
 
MD 30 north to MD 140 east – Hanover
Access via unsigned MD 795; also serves Hampstead and Manchester
8.9914.479B 
 
MD 140 west – Westminster
Continues west as MD 140
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Starks, Edward (January 27, 2022). "Table 2: Auxiliary Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". FHWA Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Highway Information Services Division (December 31, 2013). Highway Location Reference. Maryland State Highway Administration. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Interstate 795" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  4. ^ "MDOT SHA I795 Interc at Dolfield Rd BA4515172". mdot-sha-i795-interc-at-dolfield-rd-ba4515172-maryland.hub.arcgis.com. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
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