Similar, but different. The first shield is just after I-895 spawns from I-95, and the TO is part of the I-95 shield - I was going too fast to notice if it was wooden, though. The second is just as old, but in all different pieces, and well north of the Harbor Tunnel. These are original to the Harbor Tunnel, and if you're up on your history you'll know I-95 briefly used that before the Fort McHenry Tunnel opened. So either the TO signs were erected when I-95 was moved, or they were always there to let you know that this was just a temporary routing. The shield atop this page, from Moravia Rd. SB just south of the end of I-895, appears to be of the same age.


Pardon the rear window, but that's the northern beginning of I-97. You may also notice that I-895 South is suddenly The Tunnel Thruway. Given the existence of another tunnel on I-95, the sign should read Harbor Tunnel Thruway.


Southbound across a railroad in Masonville, courtesy Lou Corsaro. This is just south of the Tunnel tollbooths.

Art Deco lettering!


A different look at it, southbound courtesy Lou Corsaro.


This is technically Exit 10, immediately after the tollbooths on the north side of the tunnel. It is very much original signage as well. Notice the traffic back there to the left on I-95, which braids with I-895 north of the tunnels. There happened to be an accident that day, but in general, even though 895 is four lanes and 95 six, I-895 flows better because most people just follow the same number straight through. (895 is less mileage even, and an advance sign tells you that.)

Onto I-95
To I-695
The Harbor Tunnel Thruway (I-895) on Steve Anderson's dcroads.net
Back to Maryland Roads
Back to Roads