MARYLAND (WBFF) — With Memorial Day weekend expected to bring heavy traffic to Maryland’s toll roads, the Maryland Transportation Authority is urging drivers to plan ahead, drive safely and time their trips to avoid the worst backups—especially at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
The MDTA said Maryland’s toll facilities will be in high demand as the holiday period “sets the stage for the start of peak travel on our roads,” with the Bay Bridge expected to see some of the heaviest volumes.
More than 335,000 vehicles are expected to cross the bridge between Friday, May 22, and Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.
For motorists traveling in and around the Baltimore metropolitan area, the MDTA said the southeast section of the I-695 Beltway is closed at MD 173 (Exit 1) on the Outer Loop and at Broening Highway (Exit 44) on the Inner Loop.
Drivers traveling between Baltimore and Harford counties may consider using the I-95 Express Toll Lanes, which feature northbound lanes to Mountain Road (MD 152). The MDTA also warned that highway work zones in the region may include no shoulders and/or narrow lanes, and urged drivers to focus, slow down and stay alert when driving through or near work zones.
The MDTA advised motorists to stay on U.S. 50 on both sides of the Bay Bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents. The agency said drivers should expect delays in both directions—often at the same time—at the bridge and along the U.S. 50 corridor during peak travel hours throughout the holiday period. The MDTA said the “core issue is traffic volume exceeding lane capacity.”
Weather and traffic permitting, two-way traffic operations will be implemented to help alleviate eastbound delays. The MDTA said those operations may be limited based on westbound traffic volumes, and are prohibited during bridge wind warnings or restrictions, fog or limited visibility, or times of precipitation. Two-way traffic operations also may be prohibited during incidents.
The MDTA’s recommended travel times for the Bay Bridge during the holiday period are:
Eastbound
Westbound
The MDTA reminded drivers to follow overhead lane signals before, on and after the bridge where signals are present.
Police enforcement is ongoing for motorists who fail to obey lane-use control signals on the U.S. 50 approaches and on the bridge, the MDTA said. Commercial vehicles must travel across the Bay Bridge in the right lane.
For 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic information, drivers can visit Baybridge.com or call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726).
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