Rummel, Klepper & Kahl will be paid $310,368 to design ways to improve traffic flow on the perennially congested eastern end of Boston Street.

But don’t expect any solution soon – the study alone will take an estimated 17 months to complete, according to the Baltimore Department of Transportation.

RK&K will examine for DOT the portion of Boston Street that narrows from four to two traffic lanes at Canton Crossing and proceeds east to I-95/Fort McHenry Tunnel and O’Donnell Street.

According to DOT’s request to the Board of Estimates, the chief objective of the study is to design a three-lane road that would increase capacity by accessing O’Donnell Street from Boston Street.

RK&K will recommend ways to improve an old roadbed on Toone Street near Canton Crossing, configure turnouts for future MTA parking lots and install a sidewalk.

A roll-of-the-dice challenge to drivers today is the road’s crossing of two rail lines – Norfolk Southern and Canton Railroad – whose slow and often long trains can cause major backups.

The expansion of the Canton Crossing shops and the proposed building of 2 million square feet of office and retail space and a residential tower along the Canton waterfront are expected to greatly elevate the level of traffic in the area.
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More on Southeast’s Traffic Woes

• Cantonites say: “We need a long-term plan for Boston Street (7/26/15)

• Design panel hones in on major worry about latest waterfront project: more traffic in Canton (8/15/15)