Johns Hopkins Begins Construction on Data Science Buildings; Major Road Closure Planned

Johns Hopkins University announced on Jan. 2 that construction will start this month on two new academic buildings for its Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute. As part of the work, a one-block section of Wyman Park Drive — from Remington Avenue to Carnegie Way — will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning Jan. 7 and is expected to remain closed for roughly four years as crews build the campus additions.

The closure affects a key north-south corridor bordering the Homewood campus. Pedestrian access on Wyman Park Drive will remain open through the summer of 2026, allowing students, faculty and neighborhood residents to walk the corridor while heavy equipment and staging occupy the roadway. Vehicle access to the campus will be maintained via alternate routes, including Art Museum Drive, 31st Street and San Martin Drive. On-campus garage parking and surface lots are not planned to change, according to the university notice.

University officials have outlined mitigation measures to help neighbors and commuters navigate the disruption. Detours will be in place, and the project team will maintain communication channels, a dedicated project website and bi-weekly construction updates for nearby residents and campus affiliates. The university said it will provide ongoing updates as work progresses.

Economically, the project is positioned as a major local investment. Johns Hopkins expects the preconstruction and construction phases to create thousands of jobs and generate significant economic activity for Baltimore through contractor hiring, material purchases and ancillary spending by workers. Construction completion is scheduled for 2029, with the project intended to expand the university’s research capacity in data science and artificial intelligence.

For Baltimore residents and businesses near the Homewood campus, the most immediate effects will be increased vehicle congestion on alternate routes and longer travel times for deliveries and commutes that previously used Wyman Park Drive. The preservation of pedestrian access and unchanged campus parking aim to limit disruption to campus life and neighborhood foot traffic during the first 18 months of the project. Over the longer term, the institute could attract research funding, startups and graduate talent that may boost demand for services and housing near the Homewood area.

The university’s staged communications and regular updates are intended to give neighbors advance notice of lane changes, major deliveries and milestones. Residents and campus users should plan travel around the Jan. 7 closure and expect construction activity through 2029 as the new institute takes shape.