Interstate 170 Maryland

I-170 Maryland
I-170 - Baltimore, MD Map

History

Interstate 170 was a planned spur to the north side of Downtown Baltimore from I-70 in the western portion of the city. Approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on June 30, 1970, the short section of I-170 was completed in 1979.

With the withdraw of Interstate 70 through Leakin Park in Baltimore, there would be no connection from I-170 to the parent route. A subsequent proposal by the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA) turned the freeway spur along I-170 southward over the easternmost segment of what was planned for I-70 to an interchange with Interstate 95 by Carroll Park. Since the route no longer connected with I-70, it was renumbered as Interstate 595. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the renumbering on July 2, 1982.

The MDSHA application both eliminating I-170 and a portion of I-70 and establishing I-595 was approved by AASHTO on November 20, 1982. The Proposed Interstate Route Description defined I-595 as:

From a junction with FAI Route 95, east of U.S. Route 1, northerly then easterly to a junction with Green Street, just east of Harbor City Boulevard. A distance of approximately 3.60 miles.

Construction completing the link from what was I-170 to I-95 as Interstate 595 never came to fruition. I-170 was signed along the route until 1983, when U.S. 40 replaced it from adjacent Franklin and Mulberry Streets. I-595 was eventually reused in 1989 along U.S. 50/301 from the Capital Beltway east to Annapolis.

Route Information

  • East End – Baltimore, MD

  • West End – Baltimore, MD

  • Mileage – 1.2

  • Cities – Baltimore

  • Junctions – I-70

Source: estimate from Google Maps

Highway Guides

East End – US 40 / Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard – north of Downtown Baltimore, Maryland

Martin Luther King, Jr Bl north at I-170/US 40 - Baltimore, MD

A green out on this guide sign along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard northbound concealed what was a shield for Interstate 170 west. U.S. 40 follows the freeway across the viaducts spanning the six lane boulevard ahead. 10/14/01

US 40 east at MLK Bl - Baltimore, MD

U.S. 40 eastbound at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard off-ramp. The freeway continues a short distance further to Greene Street. 01/02/01

West End US 1 US 40 – Northwest of Downtown Baltimore, Maryland

I-170 at US 1 - Baltimore, MD

Looking westward from the U.S. 1 overpass at the former stub end of Interstate 170. This structure was demolished by 2011 to make way for a two parking lots for the MARC West Baltimore station. 01/02/01

I-170 at US 1 - Baltimore, MD

The U.S. 1 overpass and unused roadway for I-170 eastbound. Pavement here was removed during construction for the MARC parking lots between September 2010 and Summer 2011. 01/02/01

Page updated July 20, 2022.