NUMEROUS VEHICLES DAMAGED BY FALLING ROCKS ON I-695

(HALETHORPE, MD) – Maryland State Police are attempting to determine what caused hundreds of rocks to fall from a railroad overpass onto more than a dozen vehicles tonight on the inner loop of I-695 in southwestern Baltimore County.

There have been no reported injuries. Troopers on the scene estimate that about 15 vehicles have sustained damage. The damage to vehicles includes dents, scratches, and cracked windshields.

Just before 7:00 p.m. tonight, Maryland State Police at the Golden Ring Barrack received numerous phone calls from motorists who reported they were traveling on the inner loop of I-695 when their vehicles were struck by rocks falling from the Hollins Ferry railroad overpass. Troopers estimate that hundreds of rocks fell. State Highway Administration personnel had to be called to respond and clear the rocks from the roadway. The inner loop of I-695 was closed while highway personnel removed the rocks. The inner loop has now been reopened.

State Police contacted CSX, which operates the railroad overpass. CSX officials are on the scene and will be conducting an inspection of the overpass. They told troopers they have temporarily stopped train traffic across the overpass until the inspection is completed.