Glen Burnie, MD (July 10, 2026) – Anne Arundel County is strongly advising all residents to avoid the area surrounding Empire Towers at 7310 Ritchie Highway, following an assessment of the ongoing structural integrity incident.
Due to the high structural instability risks, the County has established a 150-foot safety perimeter around the building - a distance equal to one and a half times the building's height - based on guidance from structural safety officials.
The Maryland State Highway Administration has implemented a partial lane reduction on southbound Route 2, shifting traffic to maintain one open lane while preserving the safety perimeter, rather than a full closure.
The road closure perimeter has been updated and moved to 6th Avenue, affecting both Crain Highway and southbound Ritchie Highway. Drivers should expect a detour via 8th Avenue and Route 648.
Anne Arundel County recognizes the impact this incident has on businesses in the area. Impacted business owners are encouraged to reach out to the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation at info@aaedc.org.
County departments continue to coordinate closely to reassess safety perimeters, traffic control, and building conditions. Given the evolving nature of this situation, Anne Arundel County will provide updates in real time as new information becomes available.