From MD Highway Admin. e-mail
SIGNIFICANT DELAYS EXPECTED AS SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS ARE MADE TO BAY BRIDGE
Labor Day Beachgoers Urged To Travel Off Peak, Use Alternate Route
Construction Could Take Up To 10 Weeks To Complete
Starting today, the right lane of the Bay Bridge’s eastbound span will be closed continuously as work begins to strengthen the parapets (or barriers) lining the side of the bridge. The first section to be modified is near the Eastern Shore side of the span. Pending results of the ongoing testing, potential repairs to other sections of parapet on the eastbound span are possible and could take up to 10 weeks to complete.
“Our annual inspections, that go above and beyond federal requirements, confirm that the Bay Bridge is safe,” said Transportation Secretary and Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Chairman John D. Porcari. “Since the Aug. 10 incident, we have been aggressively assessing bridge operations and structural elements. In-depth testing done to date shows that improvements can be made to strengthen the parapet. Out of an abundance of caution, we want to execute these modifications immediately.”
During the right-lane closure, the posted speed limit on the eastbound span will drop to 40 mph at all times. Two-way traffic will operate as needed on the westbound span to provide two eastbound travel lanes. Commuters will still have three lanes westbound during morning rush hours, as will travelers returning from the Eastern Shore on Sundays and Labor Day Monday.
“The reality is that diminished capacity will lead to delays, particularly during the upcoming Labor Day weekend, but the safety of our motorists, employees and contractors is our top priority,” said MDTA Executive Secretary Ronald L. Freeland. “We’re asking our bridge commuters and local residents to work with us again during these modifications. We’re also encouraging Labor Day beachgoers to use alternate routes and avoid the Bay Bridge this weekend, if possible. Drivers should plan their trips by calling 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) and logging onto baybridge.com.”
The MDTA began today’s repairs after ultrasonic and ground penetrating radar (GPR) testing of the parapet in the right lane near the Eastern Shore indicated corrosion of reinforcing steel bolts encased in the concrete barrier.
“The repairs we are starting today will restore the strength of the parapet,” said MDTA Chief Engineer Geoffrey V. Kolberg. “The corrosion is a direct result of voids in the center of the concrete parapet, where moisture has become trapped. If our ongoing testing identifies other parapet areas in need of strengthening, immediate corrective action will begin and could take up to 10 weeks for such repairs.”
Strengthening of the parapet involves bolting an L-shaped steel anchor strap (or bracket) to the parapet and to the bridge deck and bolting a double steel w-beam (or guardrail) to the parapet. Design of a permanent repair to the parapet is underway.
During the lane closure, trucks wider than 12 feet will be prohibited from traveling the bridge in the eastbound direction and must use an alternate route. The restriction includes trucks that have been issued blanket permits.
Suggested alternate routes to and from the Eastern Shore include:
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC
From Washington D.C., Baltimore Metropolitan areas and points north and west of Baltimore:
• I-95 north to DE 1 south to access beach resort areas
• Remain on DE 1 for all Delaware beach resorts
• For Maryland resort areas – use DE 1, to US 113, to MD 90. Take MD 90 to US 50 or continue south for Assateague and Virginia resorts
• Motorists traveling to Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (Virginia) – exit DE 1 in Dover to US 13 south
• For motorists traveling to Kent, Caroline and Queen Anne’s counties – take I-95 north to DE 896 south which becomes US 301 south
• For motorists traveling to points south of Queen Anne’s County (Talbot and Dorchester counties), take US 301 south, to MD 213 south, to US 50 east
From Richmond, Virginia and points South:
• Take I-64 east, to US 13 north, into Maryland
• If traveling to the beach resort areas, exit US 13 north, onto US 133 north near Pocomoke City
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC
From Beach Resort areas:
• Delaware beach areas should use DE 1 to I-95
• Maryland beach areas should take US 113 north, to DE 1 to I-95 or remain on US 50 west from Ocean City and exit onto US 13 north, to DE 1 north of Smyrna to I-95
From other Eastern Shore areas:
• From Caroline County — take MD 404, to MD 313, to US 301 north, to DE 896, to I-95
• From Dorchester and Talbot counties — take US 50 west, to MD 213 north, to US 301 north, to DE 896, to I-95
• From Queen Anne’s County — take US 301 north, to DE 896, to I-95
The MDTA urges motorists to stay alert and use caution when traveling the bridge:
• Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) for 24/7 traffic conditions at the bridge.
• Visit baybridge.com to view live traffic cameras at the bridge and to sign up for traffic and email alerts.
• Obey posted speed limits and overhead lane-control signals. The speed limit for the eastbound span and 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 over the bridge.
• Make sure your vehicle is “road ready”– one disabled vehicle can cause extensive backups.
