BALTIMORE, MD – With Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching and the peak-travel season on the horizon, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announces that Bay Bridge re-decking work will take a “summer vacation.” Most of the steel plates currently on the westbound span will be removed prior to the holiday weekend.
“The re-decking of the Bay Bridge is a vitally important project that must be done,” said Transportation Secretary and Authority Chairman John D. Porcari. “However, from the beginning, we planned to suspend re-decking work during the summer travel season as our goal throughout this project is always to minimize disruptions for motorists. The re-decking will begin again in the fall when summer travel demand subsides. We thank our Bay Bridge customers for their patience and cooperation during the work that occurred this past winter and spring.”
MDTA also is working to minimize delays this holiday weekend. With more than 1.8 million vehicles expected to travel through Maryland toll plazas during the holiday period, motorists should plan ahead.
From Friday, May 23, through Monday, May 26, Authority officials expect the following numbers of vehicles to travel its facilities: William Preston Lane, Jr., Memorial (Bay) Bridge (US 50/301) – more than 355,000 (3% increase over 2007). John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95) – more than 460,000 (1.5% increase). Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95, I-395) – more than 507,000 (1% increase).
An additional 554,000 vehicles will travel the Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695), the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
(I-895), the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40) and the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (US 301) combined. “We encourage the millions of motorists hitting the roads this weekend to drive during off-peak traffic hours,” said Authority Executive Secretary Ronald L. Freeland. “Planning ahead is key to avoiding congestion and enjoying a safe trip.”
The Authority offers the following tips to help drivers plan their travel this holiday weekend and throughout the summer months: Travel off-peak and Explore the Shore! when heading to and from Ocean City. The best times to travel the Bay Bridge include: - Thursday – before 2 p.m.
Friday – before noon and after 8 p.m. Saturday – before 7 a.m. and between 5 and 10 p.m. Sunday – between 7 and 11 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Memorial Day Monday – before 11 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
Don’t Wing It. Plan Ahead! Ease your travel with E-ZPass®. Visit ezpassmd.com to enroll on-line and for a complete list of
E-ZPass “On the Go” retail locations. Keep Your Cool and Pace Your Space: Keep a safe following distance to avoid rear-end collisions. Obey posted speed limits and overhead lane-control signals. The speed limit for the Bay Bridge’s westbound span is 45 mph because of ongoing preservation work. SLOW DOWN for steel plates remaining on the westbound span from bridge re-decking. Motorcyclists should avoid the center lane because of the steel plates. Stay alert -- do not change lanes while traveling over bridges and through tunnels. Make sure your vehicle is “road ready”-- one disabled vehicle can cause extensive backups.
The Authority will lift construction-related lane closures at its toll facilities from Friday, May 23, at noon to Tuesday, May 27, at 7 a.m. The MDTA Police will increase patrols during the holiday weekend. Officers will remain vigilant and will target aggressive and impaired drivers, seatbelt violators and criminal activity.
While Bay Bridge Preservation Project deck replacement is on hiatus during the peak-travel months, other work will continue on the bridge’s westbound span. Additional information and scheduled lane closures are available at baybridge.com.
The Maryland Transportation Authority is an independent State agency that finances, owns and operates the State’s seven toll facilities. The Authority’s eight Members, appointed by the Governor with consent of the State Senate, serve as the agency’s policy-setting and governing body. Maryland's Secretary of Transportation serves as Authority Chairman.
Contact:
Kelly Melhem or
Teri Moss
410-537-1017 |
