Commuters

Chances are many Baltimore commuters will spend the weekend poring over maps, checking out city byways and back streets, and dreaming of something that may not exist come Monday morning's rush hour: a clear shot into downtown. The Jones Falls Expressway as we know it disappeared Friday evening, with one lane closed in each direction near 29th Street by barrels and barriers, and marked with flashing signs and arrows. It may stay that way for up to two months while crews conduct emergency repairs to damaged drainage pipes and bolster the highway's underpinnings.

A spur of Interstate 895 in Anne Arundel County that leads to the Harbor Tunnel Throughway was closed Thursday night because of a six-vehicle accident. The accident, which occured about 6 p.m., left a dump truck blocking the two northbound traffic lanes, said Sgt. Kirk Perez, a spokesman for the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. As of 7:15 p.m., officers were still waiting for heavy equiptment to move the truck from the roadway, he said. Four people were hurt during the crash but none of the injuries are life-threatening, Perez said.

As of 4:30 p.m., there was severe congestion on the northbound lanes of both tunnels going under Baltimore's harbor. The Maryland Transit Administration had reported no delays on public transit. For the most up-to-date traffic information,  visit The Baltimore Sun's traffic map .

As of 5:30 p.m., no significant delays because of traffic accidents were reported on area roadways. There were minor delays on light rail. From the Maryland Transit Administration: " light rail is experiencing a  service delay from Hunt Valley to Cromwell and BWI. Passengers can expect delays to last throughout the day due to equipment problems. Light rail will be single tracking [throughout] the day from Gilroy Station to Texas Station as repairs are made. " For the most up-to-date traffic information,  visit The Baltimore Sun's traffic map .

When Renee Hutchins, the University of Maryland law professor, got her client on the phone Thursday afternoon and told him the news — that the governor was going to commute his life sentence — Mark Farley Grant was "largely speechless and completely stunned. " Hutchins said she will visit her client at the state prison in Hagerstown on Monday. By then, Grant should have a complete understanding of what's happening: freedom after nearly 30 years in prison, but no exoneration and no pardon.

As of 4:30 p.m. there were several incidents slowing traffic on area roadways: There is a disabled vehicle on the inner loop of Interstate 695, the Baltimore Beltway, at Exit 21 to Maryland Route 129/Park Heights Avenue. A vehicle is on fire on southbound Interstate 95 at Exit 38, to Maryland Route 32, closing the right lane and shoulder. The vehicle is expected to be cleared shortly. Beginning at 7 p.m., crews will being closing travel lanes on the inner loop of the Baltimore Beltway in Catonsville as part of the State Highway Administration's replacement of the Wilkens Avenue overpass.

As of 4:15 p.m., no significant delays were reported on area roadways or public transit. Due to an incident on Maryland Route 7 at Old Joppa Road, all northbound lanes closed. For the most up-to-date traffic information,  visit The Baltimore Sun's traffic map .

Driving in the Baltimore area could be extremely difficult this morning as fog is reducing visibility to one-half mile or less in some areas, the National Weather Service said. A dense fog advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service cautions drivers to use low-beam headlights and give plenty of distance around other cars when driving in fog. After the fog dissipates, it will become mostly cloudy, with Thursday's high near 72 and south winds around 6 mph. There is also a chance of rain before 10 a.m. Thursday night is expected to be partly cloudy, with a low around 57 and light south winds.

As of 4:30 p.m., there was a disabled vehicle on Interstate 83 at Exit 16, Timonium Road, that was slowing northbound traffic. The disabled vehicle is north of the Baltimore Beltway. There were no delays reported on Baltimore area transit systems.  For the most up-to-date traffic information,  visit The Baltimore Sun's traffic map .

This week, Gov.Martin O'Malleyis making a first, tentative use of one of his most fundamental powers as governor: to right injustices in the treatment of those who have been convicted of crimes. Mr. O'Malley is moving toward commuting the sentences of two inmates sentenced to life in prison, a welcome departure from his previous habit of simply ignoring the recommendations of Maryland's parole board in the case of lifers. He was pushed by the legislature, and he is wading gingerly into the issue.