......Governor O'Malley signs Emergency Delclaration ... Do not travel if you do not need to ... Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) for bridge traffic conditions 24/7 ... For Statewide winter storm and traffic information, visit www.traffic.md.gov...
1-877-BAYSPAN ...for current bridge traffic conditions
Maryland Transportation Authority
What's New
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BAY BRIDGE WALK WILL NOT BE HELD IN 2010
The Bay Bridge Walk will not be held in 2010 due to ongoing construction with the Bay Bridge Preservation Project and fiscal reasons.
The area near the base of the eastbound span, where participants board buses at the end of the walk, is unavailable during the project, as it is being used to store equipment, pre-fabricated deck panels and other construction materials.
“Once again, this has been a difficult decision to make since we were not able to hold the walk in 2008 and 2009,” said MDTA Executive Secretary Ronald L. Freeland. “We understand the excitement and anticipation that surrounds this event; however, the safety of participants -- who would need to walk through a construction area in order to board buses for their return trips -- is our number-one priority. During these economic times, it also would not be fiscally responsible to host such an event.”
The Bay Bridge Walk has been cancelled three times due to inclement weather in 1980, 2002 and 2007, was cancelled in 2003 for heightened security, in 2005 for westbound construction and evaluation of event feasibility and in 2008 and 2009 due to the Bay Bridge Preservation Project. In 1977, the walk was postponed and rescheduled due to weather; however, poor attendance on the rain date prompted the MDTA not to reschedule subsequent cancelled walks.
The MDTA regrets any inconvenience and appreciates the public’s cooperation and understanding.
BAY BRIDGE WESTBOUND SPAN RE-DECKING RESUMES
Stay Alert, Slow for Steel Plates and Drive 45 mph
Temporary closures of the Bay Bridge’s (US 50/301) westbound span continue during off-peak, overnight hours as construction crews finalize preparations for the last phase of the westbound re-decking effort. Weather and traffic volumes permitting, the westbound span could close nightly Monday through Saturday as early as 8 p.m., with all lanes reopened by morning rush hour (later openings permitted on weekends). Drivers arriving at the bridge after 8 p.m. should expect delays.
NOTE: Eastbound parapet repairs continue during overnight hours, with one eastbound lane closing Sundays from 9 p.m. to midnight and full eastbound span closures Mondays from 12:01 to 5 a.m.
During full span closures, two-way traffic will operate on the other span, with one travel lane in each direction.
Crews are conducting advance deck-replacement work on the through-truss section -- where drivers see structural steel overhead -- to finalize preparations for removing and replacing 156 concrete deck sections. Actual replacement of the concrete deck and steel railing is expected to resume in mid September. Crews will also continue replacing the westbound overhead lane signals.
Call 1-877-BAYSPAN for 24/7 traffic conditions at the Bay Bridge or visit baybridge.com to view live traffic cameras, sign up for email alerts and get the latest lane-closure schedule. The Authority thanks its customers for their cooperation and reminds them to Stay Alert So No One Gets Hurt!
• Obey posted speed limits and overhead lane-control signals. The westbound speed limit is 45 mph; the posted speed limit when driving in two-way traffic is 40 mph.
• Use your vehicle’s headlights in two-way traffic.
• Stay alert -- do not change lanes while traveling the bridges and slow down for steel plates. Motorcyclists should avoid the center lane.
• Make sure your vehicle is “road ready” and tires are properly inflated for a smoother ride across the steel plates.
Bay Bridge Preservation Project and Oyster Reef Project Videos Now Available
A video featuring the Bay Bridge Preservation Work currently underway on the westbound span's through-truss is now available. Click on "Explore the Bridge" and "Bay Bridge Preservation Project" or click here to view the video.
In addition, a video is available regarding the Asquith Creek Oyster Reef (see below for additional information on the project). Click here (Windows Media link) or click here (QuickTime link) to view the video. For a written transcript of this video, please click here.
Information from Sept. 21, 2009, Community-Outreach Meeting
The Maryland Transportation Authority hosted a community-outreach meeting for residents to learn more about the Bay Bridge Preservation Project and through-truss re-decking efforts. Click on the following display boards provided at the meeting for additional information:
Preparing for Deck Replacement
Deck Panel Demolition/Installation
Project Schedule/Stay Informed
PEREGRINE FALCONS AT THE BAY BRIDGE
The Bay Bridge is home to four peregrine falcon eagletts -- three females and one male -- who were born in early May. After checking on the eagletts for the first time on May 12, 2009, Bay Bridge Maintenance Supervisory Gary McGuire and Craig Koppie from U.S. Fish and Wildlife visited the nesting box on May 27, 2009, determined the eagletts were healthy and banded them.
MARYLAND HONORED WITH EXEMPLARY ECOSYSTEM INITIATIVE AWARD
Unique Partnership Creates Oyster Habitat in Severn River
ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 19, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that the Federal Highway Administration has honored the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and numerous partners with the Exemplary Ecosystem Initiative Award for creating the Asquith Creek Oyster Reef in the Severn River last fall. The award recognizes the unique public-private partnership for sustainable transportation and environmental protection that is now providing an oyster sanctuary with the sole purpose of improving the quality of water flowing into the Chesapeake Bay.
“The Asquith Creek Oyster Reef project serves as a model of how diverse groups can work together on habitat restoration for enhanced ecological benefits at both the local and national level,” said Governor O’Malley. “This project is an excellent example of our Smart, Green & Growing initiative and our commitment to restoring the Bay for future generations of Maryland families and watermen who continue to keep Maryland’s rich heritage alive.”
The MdTA and DNR joined their partners, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation, to create the three-acre oyster reef with four million juvenile oysters and demolished concrete from the Bay Bridge Preservation Project. The concrete was cleaned of all excess materials, inspected and ground into chunks about four to eight inches in size. Approximately 2,500 cubic yards of concrete rubble was hauled on barges to the reef site in the Severn River. Because the bridge concrete is a weathered and all-natural material with no accelerants used in its hardening, it was found to be oyster-friendly in replicating natural ecosystem conditions conducive to oyster growth.
The Asquith Creek Oyster Reef will serve as a sanctuary for oysters with no harvesting allowed to ensure the oysters will clean the Bay waters for years to come. This Smart, Green & Growing project was made possible through the collaborative effort of the following partners: MdTA, DNR, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Langenfelder Marine, Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and Oyster Recovery Partnership.
Introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley in October 2008, Maryland’s Smart, Green & Growing initiative was created to strengthen the state’s leadership role in fostering smarter, more sustainable growth and in inspiring action among all Marylanders to achieve a more sustainable future. The initiative brings together state agencies, local governments, businesses and citizens to: create more livable communities, improve transportation options, reduce the state’s carbon footprint, support resource based industry, invest in green technologies, preserve valuable resource lands and restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
For more information on the Asquith Creek Oyster Reef, click here (Windows Media link) or click here (QuickTime link) to view a brief video about the project. For a written transcript of this video, please click here.
REMINDER: EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009
On January 29, the Authority Members approved a cost-recovery initiative that is expected to generate approximately $60 million a year for the self-supporting agency and help offset the costs of operating the E-ZPass system. As part of this initiative, E-ZPass administrative changes are effective July 1 as follows:
• E-ZPass Discount Plan duration reduced from 60 days to 45 days
• E-ZPass Monthly Account Maintenance Fee: $1.50 per month per account
• E-ZPass transponder fee for new customers and replacement devices: $21 (interior and exterior license plate), $33 (roof-mount), $40 (fusion)
• Notice of Toll Due Fee: $3 for each unpaid toll transaction + toll due
• Administrative Fee (for failure to pay Notice of Toll Due): increases from $15 to $25
• For Bay Bridge ticket customers: Shoppers and Travelers ticket sales end June 30. The last day to accept Shoppers Tickets will be shown on the ticket book. The date will be on or before December 31, 2009. The Authority is creating an E-ZPass Shoppers Plan that offers the same percentage discount as the Shoppers Tickets.
EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2009:
New Toll Rates for Vehicles with Three or More Axles, New Truck Rebate Program, New Permit Policy for Oversize/Overweight Vehicles and Three-axle Motorcycles Charged Two-axle Rate. Click on "Driver's Toolbox" and "Toll Rates" on this website or Click here for detailed information.
COMMUTER TICKET SALES END
Attention Commuter Ticket Customers: Effective March 1, 2009, Commuter Tickets are no longer available for purchase. The last day to use tickets for toll payment will be shown on the ticket book. The date will be on or before April 28, 2009. Continue enjoying your discount and sign-up for E-ZPass today! Visit www.ezpassmd.com or your local E-ZPass Stop-in Center. (please note: AVI decals will remain available for purchase.)