ANNAPOLIS, MD — If you want to beat the congestion on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge this Memorial Day weekend, you’ll have to get up with the morning birds or drive with the night owls. Every Marylander knows if you wait too long, you could get caught in miles-long traffic jams near the bridge.
The Maryland Transportation Authority warned drivers to travel off-hours if they don’t want to chance the traffic heading to the Eastern Shore this holiday weekend.
Best Times To Cross
Memorial Day is on Monday, May 26. The MDTA said the best times to cross the Bay Bridge on the holiday weekend are:
- Thursday, May 22 – Before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
- Friday, May 23 – Before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
- Saturday, May 24 – Before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
- Sunday, May 25 – Before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
- Memorial Day Monday, May 26 – Before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 27 – Before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
More than 340,000 vehicles will cross the Bay Bridge between Friday and Monday, the MDTA said.
AAA predicted that nearly 45.1 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday travel period. That’s up 1.4 million from last year. About 39.4 million will travel by car, while 3.61 million will fly. The rest will take a train, bus or boat.
“Summertime is when many Marylanders explore our state’s beauty and create life-long memories,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a press release. “Historically, the summer months are also when we see an increase in deadly crashes across the state. Help us save lives this summer. I urge everyone to join the Department in being Serious About Safety and practicing safe driving – buckle up, slow down, pay attention and drive sober. Together we can bend the curve on roadway fatalities and work towards Maryland’s goal of zero deaths.”
Drivers Urged To Stay On Route 50
Officials ask drivers to stay on U.S. Route 50 even if it is congested. This will keep local roads clear for first responders and residents.
If weather and traffic permit, the MDTA will open two-way operations to ease some of the traffic heading east. Wind, fog and rain could disrupt this plan, however.
“Expect travel delays in both directions – often simultaneously – at the bridge and along the US 50 corridor throughout the entire holiday travel period when traveling during peak hours,” the MDTA said in its press release. “This is a result of traffic volume exceeding lane capacity, not two-way operation timing or management.”
Drivers may save some time on their trips to the Eastern Shore by taking the northern route, which covers more mileage while avoiding the Bay Bridge. Travelers can head up Interstate 95 north to Delaware and drive down Route 1 south to get to the beaches.
The Baltimore tunnels, however, may have increased delays with the absence of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Traffic, Safety Tips
Drivers must pay attention to these overhead signals before, on and after the bridge:
- RED X: This means the lane is closed. Motorists MUST NOT enter or travel in any lane over which a RED X signal is shown.
- YELLOW X: Prepare to vacate the lane beneath the YELLOW X signal and move to a lane with a DOWNWARD GREEN ARROW.
- DOWNWARD GREEN ARROW: Motorists can drive in the lane beneath the GREEN ARROW signal.
Here’s how to check the traffic:
- Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions. Any pressing travel updates will be posted on the MDTA’s X profile.
- Visit baybridge.com to view traffic cameras and to sign up for email alerts.
- Follow the MDTA on social media at TheMDTA and facebook.com/TheMDTA.
- Know Before You Go – To view traffic cameras on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information. When you call 511, just say “Reach the Beach.” The free phone call can eliminate some of the hassles of your road trip.
- To sign up for email/text alerts or view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov.
Along with delays, authorities will be on the lookout for risky behavior on the roads. Travelers can report aggressive drivers to the MDTA Police at 410-537-7911.
The MDTA also offered these safety tips:
- Maryland’s Move Over law applies to all stopped vehicles displaying caution signals or warning lights. Slow down if you cannot safely move over into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the stopped vehicle.
- Allow for extra time to get to your destination.
- Adhere to speed limits. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of a crash.
- Avoid distractions when driving. It only takes a second to wreck it.
- Look twice for motorcycles. Riders must have a valid motorcycle license and stay updated on motorcycle safety.
- Secure your load in vehicles and trailers before traveling. Items that shift, slide, or fall onto the roadway can lead to serious vehicle crashes, especially on roads with no shoulders like bridges and tunnels.
- Get your vehicle ready for the road. If your vehicle breaks down and you cannot safely exit the roadway, remain buckled and face forward if it is safe to stay inside. Dial #77 for non-emergency assistance.
- Double (side-by-side) separation of lanes where solid-white travel is in the same direction indicates lane changing is prohibited. Changing lanes in tunnels and on bridges can be hazardous, especially with minimal or no shoulders.
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