Russell Street

For all those folks who have been mired in traffic backups along Russell Street heading into and out of downtown, there's a ray of hope: The 30-month project is in its final phase of rush-hour disruptions. The city Department of Transportation wound up the second phase of the $25.9 million replacement of the bridge over Monroe Street late last month. That means construction of the southbound lanes of the bridge south of the Camden Yards stadiums is complete. Phase 3, involving the construction of the northbound lanes and a ramp to westbound Monroe, began last week, according to department spokeswoman Tia Waddy.

BALTIMOREANS OFTEN complain about change in their lives. Monday's 25-cent MTA bus fare increase is a case in point, a point people will discuss, even if they have not been on a bus since the days when streetcars ran on York Road. Being a non-driver - although I did successfully obtain a license in 1967 and drive home from Glen Burnie that day - I have some observations about getting around in this city. I would hope the fare increase might go into replacing the fleet of junker buses I routinely seem to get. I know there are some new vehicles out there - it's just they never call at my stop.

State and city officials welcomed a new left-turn signal on Russell Street yesterday as they sought to bury the hatchet on their nearly yearlong battle over linking public transit to Baltimore's new Greyhound bus station. From the moment the station opened at 2110 Haines St. in June, public transit riders have been forced to walk there from a bus stop two blocks away, crossing six lanes of heavy traffic. The problem: State-run public buses did not stop at the station, and a median prevented southbound vehicles from making a left turn onto the street leading to the station.

Baltimore: Central Booking Suspect missing from intake center An armed-robbery suspect escaped yesterday from the Central Booking and Intake Center, officials said. Troy Aaron Gross, 42, of Gwynn Oak was arrested Thursday on armed robbery and other charges, said Mark Vernarelli, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Vernarelli said Gross was taken to the facility Friday morning. He said correctional officers discovered that Gross, who was being held without bail, was missing yesterday.

Outside, Baltimore's proposed casino would have an industrial look inspired by old warehouses in the surrounding area and a shop-lined pedestrian zone reminiscent of the Eutaw Street promenade at Oriole Park. Inside, it would have "neighborhoods" filled with slot machines; a 400-seat buffet-style restaurant that would turn into a nightclub in the evening; a 120-seat "chop house" and a 100-seat main bar. Designed to hold up to 5,000 people at a time, it would be open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m, seven days a week.

Advertising billboards in the downtown area near Interstate 95 and Baltimore's baseball and football stadiums give an unsightly first impression of the city, the president of Baltimore Development Corp. said yesterday at a packed City Council meeting on a proposal to ban the signs. A Carroll Camden Urban Renewal Plan being considered by the council's Urban and Governmental Affairs Committee includes an amendment that would eliminate 11 billboards in the approach into the city from Annapolis and Washington, all on the industrial corridor of Russell Street.