The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which takes Route 50 across the Chesapeake Bay between the Kent Island and Annapolis areas, is officially named The William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge - but most locals refer to it simply as the "Bay Bridge." The Bridge is 4.2 miles long - one of the longest over water structures in the world. The Bay Bridge is actually two side by side bridges with two lanes of traffic on each span. The first bridge (eastbound span) opened in July of 1952 and the second bridge (westbound span) opened in June of 1973. The Bay Bridge is named after William Preston Lane, Jr., who was the Governor of Maryland when construction of the first span began.
The view from the Bay Bridge is always spectacular. The bridges rise 186 feet above the water, affording a birds eye view of the surrounding area. You will see lots of sail boats and other pleasure boats on the Bay during nice summer days. Note: Only passengers should be looking at the scenery - the bridges do not have full road shoulders and, therefore, do not offer motorists the same maneuvering space found on other roadways to avoid accidents, therefore it's important for drivers to keep their eyes on the road.
Most of the time, all the lanes on each span have traffic going in the same direction, but during rush hours and times of heavy weekend beach traffic, the lanes change direction to ease traffic congestion. The lanes are clearly marked with lighted marking to show which way to go. See the Safety Information section below for details.
Assistance Driving Across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge: We've had several requests for information from people who are afraid to drive across the bridge. The Maryland Transportation Authority offers a driver assistance program. For information, call is 410-295-8150 (Annapolis line) or 410-537-6601 (Baltimore line). Call at least one hour prior to your arrival at the bridge. Employees will provide additional details regarding the service at that time. There is no fee for this service.
NOTE: The Maryland Transportation Authority has announced that the Bay Bridge Walk and Bay Bridge Run have been cancelled for 2008 and 2009, due to bridge construction.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Walk: Each spring, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge closes one span to traffic for a day in order to let pedestrian walk the span. The walk is usually held on the first Sunday in May. The annual Bay Bridge Walk has become a regional attraction that usually brings 40,000 to 60,000 participants to walk the bridge and enjoy the view. Two way traffic is handled on the second span during the walk. The walk is approximately 4.5 miles. Participants must park at one of the MdTA designated parking lots and take shuttle buses to the starting point of the walk. Shuttles will return you to your parking lot after you finish your walk.
If you plan on doing the Bay Bridge Walk, plan on arriving early. Parking lots fill up by 10:00 am.
The Governor's Bay Bridge Run is held in conjunction with the Bay Bridge Walk. The Governors Bay Bridge Run is a 10k foot race over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge conducted by the Annapolis Striders Inc. with the help of volunteers, the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Bay Bridge Walk. The race is run in the morning, before the walkers enter the Bridge. Visit the Annapolis Striders website for more information.
Tolls: The bridge toll is only collected one way. The toll booth is located on the western shore (Annapolis) side of the Bridge. The toll fee is $2.50 for two axle vehicles and $2.50 per additional axle. The EZPass Toll Collection System works at the Bay Bridge. (EZPass is the automatic toll collection system that can be used throughout Maryland, West Virginia, Pennslyvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York - www.ezpassmd.com
Renovations and Repairs: The Bay Bridge has been undergoing a four year, $45 million renovation of the bridge deck on the westbound span. See the MdTA Press Release about the renovations. The Maryland Transportation Authority updates travelers on lane closures and maintence activities with weekly traffic advisories posted on their website - William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge Traffic Advisorys. Motorist can tune their radios to 1630Am on the eastern shore side of the Bridge and 1610AM on the western shore side of the Bridge for traffic advisories and roadway conditions.
Safety Information: Here is some important Chesapeake Bay Bridge Safety Information, provided by the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Drivers should maintain a higher level of awareness when traveling on bridges. For your safety and that of your passengers and fellow drivers:
Obey and maintain posted speed limits. Bridges do not have full road shoulders and, therefore, do not offer motorists the same maneuvering space found on other roadways to avoid accidents.
Obey overhead-lane-use-control signals for traffic control. The meanings of these overhead signals are as follows:
A steady DOWNWARD GREEN ARROW means that you are permitted to drive in the lane over which the GREEN ARROW signal is located.
A steady YELLOW X means that you should prepare to vacate the lane over which the YELLOW X signal is located and move to a lane with a DOWNWARD GREEN ARROW.
A steady RED X means that the lane is closed and you must not use it. On the Bay Bridge, traffic speeds tend to vary due to traffic volume, bridge grade and curvature, and scenic vistas. Motorists should use extreme caution and resist the temptation to sightsee while on the bridge. Adherence to overhead-lane-use-control signals and posted speed limits is strictly enforced. Fines are doubled in workzones.
Drivers traveling the Bay Bridge should exercise special caution when a "two-way" traffic configuration is in effect.
When speed-limit signs are superseded by reduced speed limits on variable message signs, drivers must obey the reduced speed limit.
If you have a cellular telephone, please report disabled vehicles by dialing #77. If reporting an accident, call 911.
If your vehicle becomes disabled on the bridge, turn on your emergency flashers and wait for Maryland Transportation Authority Police assistance. In addition, the Authority’s Vehicle Recovery Technicians are stationed at the facility to render assistance between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
