MDTA Building Reopens Days After Legionnaires Detected

BALTIMORE, MD — Two employees have contracted legionellosis, which prompted the Maryland Transportation Authority to shut down its administrative building at the Interstate 895/Baltimore Harbor Tunnel toll plaza Tuesday, July 9. Officials announced that the building would remain closed Wednesday, July 10, while state and Baltimore City health officials test for possible sources of legionellosis. In addition, the MDTA will treat water systems at the facility.

The building reopened Friday, July 12. Toll booths were automated Tuesday through Thursday while state and city officials investigated the case. Cash payment lanes operated as video (cashless) toll lanes. Drivers who usually paid with cash were instructed to continue on through the plaza without stopping and told they would be sent a toll statement. These transactions will be billed at the cash toll rate. MDTA police officers were on hand to help motorists navigate the toll plaza. The E-ZPass Stop-in Center at the tunnel facility was also closed.

Once MDTA officials learned that the two employees had been diagnosed with legionellosis, more commonly known as Legionnaires' Disease, the decision was made to close the operation pending the health officials’ review. MDTA employees who work at the administrative building and the toll booths have been granted administrative leave while it is closed.

“While there’s no confirmation that the building is the source of the illness, we believe the safety of our employees and visitors to the administration building dictates that we close the facility while tests are conducted,” said MDTA Chairman and Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn in a statement.

Legionellosis is a form of bacterial pneumonia also known as Legionnaires' disease. The Maryland Department of Transportation Administration employees have received medical treatment.

According to the Center for Disease Control, people contract Legionnaires' disease by breathing in mist containing the bacteria. It usually does not spread from one person to another and symptoms begin two to 10 days after exposure. Symptoms include a cough, shortness of breath, fever, headache and muscle aches.

“The safety of our employees is always the paramount concern for us, whether it’s at construction work zones or at the office,” said MDTA Executive Director Jim Ports.