This view of WM's bridge over I-695 is more familiar. A few CSX
trains per day use this route but I've never caught one while
driving on the Beltway.
The northern side of the bridge had/has a highway Big Green Sign (BGS)
attached to it, the region's only example of a BGS on a CSX bridge,
as seen at left during 2005.
The bridge is long enough to span entrance lanes from I-795 on
the right. I-795 did not open until 1987, decades after
I-695. Was the railroad bridge built long enough to permit
the future I-795, or was it extended during the 1980s?
I have not found an aerial photo that can answer.
Harold Dorsey writes:
"When I-795 was being built, they built this new railroad bridge next to the
old one. The old bridge looked very similar and was painted black with
Western Maryland Railway painted on the sides. It was removed after the
new was opened."
David Earp adds:
"I remember when that section of the beltway was opened in the early 1960s.
The WM bridge that originally spanned the highway was only long enough for
the 2 travel lanes in each direction, shoulder on each side, plus center
grass median. The original bridge had a metal communication wire pole
mounted at its center on a concrete pedestal which was part of the bridge
structure. Below the pole facing traffic was the letters 'WM' in speed
lettering. That bridge was completely replaced by the new bridge and
installed on a new alignment since the old bridge had to stay in service
while the new one was constructed. With future road construction planned,
the new bridge was built to be long enough to span the future ramps."
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