On sunday I went looking for the entry point of the Jones Falls conduit. Here is the 1912 description of where it should be:

The extent of this improvement (Jones Falls conduit) will be from Baltimore street bridge to the westerly side of Maryland avenue, a distance of approximately 8,850 linear feet. The structure planned is of reinforced concrete with a flat roof, designed to carry the heaviest city traffic, and curved inverts, lined with vitrified brick. This design was selected after considerable effort to find an arched structure which would fill the requirements and keep the expense within a reasonable figure. The lack of head room over a considerable part of the distance to be covered made the problem very difficult. The structure proposed can be erected without disturbing the present retaining walls, the invert of the east conduit being first erected to carry the ordinary flow of water while the other conduits are under construction. As the retaining walls are not to be taken down they can be reckoned upon to give side support to the structure which, in consequence, has not been designed to carry all of the lateral pressure which the side banks would impart to it if not already safely supported.

A quick view of Google maps is deceiving because of all the growth under and around the JFX. The plain map view shows the Falls ending right about under Howard St. So there I went. This portion appears to have been built later – for the light rail and Amtrak? Looking thru the tunnels you can see daylight and I believe this is where the actual entrance starts. Didn’t have my water shoes on so I didn’t venture thru the first set of tunnels And it actually smelt pretty bad there – sewage! (Sewage does not belong in the Jones Falls!)

Here is a link to some guys who actually went into the tunnels – amazing and I thank them for the trip!

http://ronniekirchner.com/jones-falls-conduit/

Howard Street bridge up above

 

 

 

I just added this last one because I like the brick-work.