Interstate 97

History

Southern Terminus

Northern Terminus

Routing

Interstate 97 is the shortest two-digit Interstate in the 48 contiguous states, with only 17 miles, all within Maryland's Anne Arundel County. Two existing freeways made up the northern and southern thirds of Interstate 97: the Maryland 3 Glen Burnie Bypass to the north and the Maryland 32 freeway to the south. Maryland 3 has since been truncated (although Business Maryland 3 still exists) at Interstate 97's Exit 7. Maryland 32 also was truncated at this location.

During the planning stages of Interstate 97, an Interstate 197 and 297 were also incorporated into the overall Interstate network of Anne Arundel County. Interstate 297 was to have followed the current Maryland 3 from its northern terminus to Interstate 595/U.S. 50/301. Interstate 197 was a planned spur from the southern terminus of Interstate 97 eastward along the U.S. 50/301 routing to the present terminus of unsigned Interstate 595. Interstate 97 initially was to travel west of its current terminus along Interstate 595/U.S. 50 to the Capital Beltway. This same east-west stretch was initially planned also as Interstate 68. All of these scenarios were cancelled resulting in present unsigned Interstate 595.¹

Future Aspirations

Some wish that Interstate 83 were routed southward to replace Interstate 97, thus freeing up the number 97 for a lengthier route. No plans, however, exist to extend Interstate 97 or to replace it with Interstate 83.

Parallel U.S. Routes

Interstate 97 replaced portions of Maryland 3, which was at one time U.S. 301 before it was redirected to end at Glasgow, Delaware.

History

Interstate 97's freeway incorporated the 1960s Glen Burnie Bypass (Maryland 3) and new roadways constructed as follows: Exits 1 to 5 in 1989, and Exits 6 to 12 in 1992-93.²

Highway Guides

• Maryland

	Southern Terminus - Interstate 595 and U.S. 50/301 - Annapolis, Maryland Perspective from Interstate 97 south Interstate 97 southbound at Junction Hidden Interstate 595 and U.S. 50/301. This marks the southern terminus of Interstate 97. Notably, there are empty brackets for an exit tab on the right-hand sign. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (6/00). Perspective from Interstate 595/U.S. 50 west/U.S. 301 south U.S. 50 west and U.S. 301 south for miles west of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge see this signage for Baltimore area traffic interests. This is the first indication of the southern terminus of Interstate 97. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). Interstate 595/U.S. 50 west and U.S. 301 southbound, one mile east of Interstate 97/Exit 21. Note that this sign bridge includes panels also for Maryland 665/Exit 22 and Maryland 450/Exit 23B. With that stated, Exit 21 for Interstate 97 departs before Exit 22 for Maryland 665 even though this is facing west. This is because the Interstate 97 beginning from this direction parallels Interstate 595 for a distance before turning northward. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). A hairpin turn composes Exit 23 for adjacent Maryland 450 to Crownsville. U.S. 50/301 see several of these types of off-ramps to the adjacent frontage roads. Interstate 97's departure is in one half mile. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). Interstate 595/U.S. 50/301 maintain six lanes through the southern terminus of Interstate 97 interchange. This westbound photograph looks at the northbound beginning of the Annapolis to Baltimore freeway. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). Wintertime view of Exit 21/Interstate 97 north from Interstate 595/U.S. 50 west and U.S. 301 south. The next interchange is that of the freeway spur Maryland 665/Aris T. Allen Boulevard. This segment of highway was constructed in conjunction with the Interstate 97 project and features a SPUI (Single Point Urban Interchange). Photo taken by Chris Mason (01/14/03). A second overhead for Interstate 97 north is posted as the freeway splits from Interstate 595/U.S. 50 west and U.S. 301 south. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). Another wintertime perspective of the southern terminus of Interstate 97. Exit 22 for Maryland 665 departs in the background. This state route serves Parole and Annapolis to the southeast. Photo taken by Chris Mason (01/14/03). The aforementioned parallel alignment of Interstate 97 north alongside Interstate 595/U.S. 50 west and U.S. 301 south. Return access to the westbound freeway is granted due to the merge of Maryland 665/Aris T. Allen Boulevard onto the Interstate 97 roadway. In effect, this portion of Interstate 97 acts as a collector/distributor roadway. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). Interstate 97 turns to the northwest than north while Maryland 665 traffic wishing to enter Interstate 595/U.S. 50 west and U.S. 301 south depart to the left. Washington D.C. is 20 miles to the west. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). Perspective from Interstate 595/U.S. 50 east/U.S. 301 north Interstate 97 and U.S. 50 overhead on Maryland 450. Before the ramp to north Interstate 97 from east U.S. 50 was constructed, access to Interstate 97 from east U.S. 50 was via Maryland 450 (which parallels U.S. 50). Vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (7/5/93). One mile guide sign of Exit 21/Interstate 97 north on Interstate 595/U.S. 50 east/U.S. 301 north. Downtown Baltimore is approximately 25 miles north. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/03/02). Interstate 595/U.S. 50 east/U.S. 301 northbound approaching the northbound beginning of Interstate 97/Exit 21. The southern terminus interchange of the freeway contains two long connections to Interstate 595 east and west. Photo taken by Tim Reichard (09/08/02). Summertime view of the one-half mile sign bridge of Interstate 97/Exit 21 on Interstate 595 east. The first interchange of Interstate 97 is situated five miles to the north at Waterbury. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/03/02). Interstate 97 northbound traffic for Baltimore departs Interstate 595 eastbound in this photograph. The city of Annapolis is only three miles to the east from this point, with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge another nine. Photo taken by Tim Reichard (09/08/02). Interstate 97 splitting from Interstate 595/U.S. 50 east/U.S. 301 north as seen during the Summer. Interstate 97 intersects two freeways on its short duration: Maryland 32 at Exit 7 and Maryland 100 at Exit 14. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/03/02). Interstate 595/U.S. 50 east and U.S. 301 north at the Interstate 97 overpass. Note the brick facade on the bridge itself. This is a common theme in and around Annapolis on the John Hanson Highway. Exit 22 for Maryland 665 is an expressway spur into the city of Annapolis. The interchange with Maryland 2 via Maryland 665 is a SPUI (Single Point Urban Interchange). Photo taken by Tim Reichard (09/08/02). Northern Terminus - Interstate 695/Spur Interstate 895 - Baltimore, Maryland Perspective from Interstate 97 north Three lanes of Interstate 97 progress northward to the final interchange of the intracounty route, Exits 17A/B at Interstate 695. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). The mainline of Interstate 97 converts into Spur Interstate 895, a connector between Interstate 695 and the Harbor Tunnel Thruway to the north. This sign bridge advises motorists to the Port of Baltimore area and displays the restrictions in place for the Interstate 895 Harbor Tunnel. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). Closer to the northern terminus of Interstate 97, a pull-through panel appears for Spur Interstate 895 with Maryland 648 included. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). An overcast winter day on Interstate 97 northbound, one half mile before the terminus at the Baltimore Beltway. Photo taken by Chris Mason (01/14/03). Two lanes of Interstate 97 are allocated for Interstate 695 westbound to Baltimore and the northern suburb of Towson. Traffic taking Spur Interstate 895 northbound will default onto Interstate 895 northbound through the Harbor Tunnel. Therefore traffic headed to downtown Baltimore is advised to take Interstate 695 west to either Interstate 95 north or Maryland 295/Baltimore-Washington Parkway north. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). Traffic utilizing Exit 17B will reach the tolled Francis Scott Key Bridge ($1 per passenger vehicle) in five miles. Interstate 695 also serves the Dundalk and Essex communities in addition to connecting to Interstate 95 northbound for Wilmington, Philadelphia, and New York City. Photo taken by Chris Mason (01/14/03). Interstate 97 at the sign bridge Pictured in the above two photographs. Note that the lighting fixtures were replaced between 2000 and 2003. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (6/00). Departure of Interstate 695 westbound traffic via Exit 17A. Maryland 648 represents the only interchange of Spur Interstate 895 northbound. This ramp is situated just beyond the Exit 17B ramp for Interstate 695 east. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). The southern terminus of unsigned Spur Interstate 895 and the northern terminus of Interstate 97. The off-ramp for Maryland 648 is the last chance motorists have before being relegated to traveling northward via Spur Interstate 895 through the Harbor Tunnel toll plaza. Traffic can depart Interstate 895 before entering the tunnel via Exit 8/Frankfurst Avenue. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (6/00). The Maryland 648 Ferndale exit also offers an alternative to Interstate 695 west in case one missed the Exit 17A ramp. Traffic continuing northward along Spur Interstate 895 will not see another departure opportunity until four miles to the northeast. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03). Perspective from Interstate 695 west Interstate 695 westbound at the northern terminus of Interstate 97/Exit 4. Interstate 97 also serves the communities of Glen Bernie and South Gate. Photo taken by Jim K. Georges (07/98). Same sign bridge as above on Interstate 695 west. Beltway motorists will continue westward to Maryland 295 in three miles and Interstate 95 in seven miles. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/97). Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 695 west Interstate 95 4 miles at Halethorne, MD Interstate 70 9 miles near Woodlawn, MD Interstate 795 15 miles at Pikesville, MD Perspective from Interstate 695 east One mile guide signage for Interstate 97 on Interstate 695/Baltimore Beltway eastbound. Exit 6B for Maryland 170, serves the Baltimore Washington International Airport, with connection to the terminal via Interstate 195. Photo taken by Tim Reichard (09/01/02). This auxiliary guide signage for Interstate 97/Exit 4 on Interstate 695 east indicates that the freeway is the best choice for accessing U.S. 301 and Maryland 3. The control points of Bowie, home to the Double A Baysocks minor league team, and Richmond, via U.S. 301 south via the Potomac River toll bridge, are displayed. Photo taken by Tim Reichard (09/01/02). Interstate 97 southbound is a left-exit, and this sign bridge begins the lane allocation for the pending Interstate 695 split. Although access is not granted, traffic on Interstate 97 directly ties into Interstate 895 Spur, a connection to the center city area crossing of the Harbor Tunnel. Photo taken by Tim Reichard (09/01/02). The next sign bridge for Interstate 97/Exit 4 from Interstate 695 eastbound. This is posted just before the land partition between the two freeways. Note also that Exit 5 for Maryland 648 sneaks into play, with only this sign guiding motorists to Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (2001). The gore point for Interstate 97 south from Interstate 695 east. Note the reassurance signage, ala the Capital Beltway near Washington, D.C. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (2001). It is not uncommon to find Interstate to Interstate connections featuring gore point exit signage such as this. Other examples of the Interstate that is intersected featured on the exit signage can be seen with Interstate 359's and Interstate 85's southern terminus. Photo taken on Interstate 695 eastbound by Tim Reichard (09/01/02). Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 695 east Interstate 95 19 miles near Kenwood, MD Interstate 83 overlap begin 29 miles at Lutherville-Timonium, MD Interstate 83 overlap end 30 miles at Brooklandville, MD

Sources:

1. Interstate 97/197/297 routing background obtained from Stephen Summers' Interstate system route numbering page.
2. MDRoads: I-97.