Chesapeake Bay Bridge
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is a major dual-span bridge in the U.S. state of Maryland. Spanning the Chesapeake Bay, it connects the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the urban Western Shore. The original span, opened in 1952 and with a length of, was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure. The parallel span was added in 1973. The bridge is officially named the Gov. William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge after William Preston Lane Jr. who, as the 52nd Governor of Maryland, initiated its construction in the late 1940s finally after decades of political indecision and public controversy.
The bridge is part of U.S. Route 50 and US 301, and serves as a vital link in both routes. As part of cross-country US 50, it connects the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area with Ocean City, Maryland, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and other coastal tourist resort destinations. As part of US 301, it serves as part of an alternative route for Interstate 95 travelers, between northern Delaware and the Washington, D.C., area. Because of this linkage, the bridge is busy and has become known as a point of traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours and summer months.
History
Proposals and ferries
Studies exploring the possibility of building a bridge across the Chesapeake Bay may have been conducted as early as the 1880s.The first known proposal came about in 1907 and called for a crossing between Baltimore and Tolchester Beach; other proposals, occurring in the years 1918, 1919, 1926, and 1935, also called for a bridge in this location. In 1927, local businesspeople were authorized to finance the construction of a Baltimore to Tolchester Beach crossing. Plans for the new bridge were made, but construction was canceled following the Stock Market Crash of 1929 with the collapse of the American economy and resulting Great Depression of the 1930s.
Ferries were used as the main mode of transportation across the bay from the colonial period until the completion of the 1952 bridge. The first service ran from Annapolis to Broad Creek on Kent Island, roughly where the bridge is today. In 1919, the Claiborne–Annapolis Ferry Company began running ferries between Annapolis and Claiborne, a community near St. Michaels.
In July 1930, the Claiborne–Annapolis Company added a new ferry route, one running from Annapolis to Matapeake, a significantly shorter distance. The auto and passenger ferries were taken over by the State Roads Commission in 1941. Two years later the commission moved the western terminus of the old Annapolis–Matapeake ferry to Sandy Point, shortening the cross-bay trip.
Construction of 1952 span
A 1938 proposal by the Maryland General Assembly was the first to call for a bridge at the Sandy Point–Kent Island location. Although the legislation authorizing the new bridge passed, the involvement of the United States in World War II delayed the bridge's construction. In 1947, with the war over, the Assembly, under the leadership of Maryland Governor William Preston Lane Jr.,, passed legislation directing the old State Roads Commission to begin construction. Ground was broken in January 1949, and after a -year construction project, the bridge opened to traffic on July 30, 1952, as both the longest continuous over-water steel structure, and the third longest bridge in the world. Before the opening, a parade of vehicles made the first official crossing, led by then current Governor Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin,, and other state officials in a distinctive white Cadillac convertible flying huge American and Maryland flags. On November 9, 1967, the bridge was dedicated to Governor Lane, who had died earlier that year, and officially renamed the "William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge".1973 expansion
In 1967, due to increasing traffic volumes, the Maryland General Assembly authorized three possible new crossings, all suggested during the 1964 Chesapeake Bay crossing study. These included one further north near Baltimore, one in southern Maryland, and an additional span to be added to the existing bridge from Kent Island to Sandy Point; ultimately, the third option was chosen. Construction of the new parallel span began in 1969 to the north of the original bridge, and it was completed on June 28, 1973.Notable incidents
Because of its height, the narrowness of the spans, the low guardrails, and the frequency of high winds, it is known as one of the scariest bridges in the world. Several incidents have caused significant closures and traffic congestion on either side approaching the bridge.The bridge has been closed four times due to extreme weather. The first time was September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel and its high winds. On August 27, 2011, the bridge was closed to all traffic due to the impact of Hurricane Irene. Then-Governor Martin O'Malley ordered the bridge closed when sustained winds exceeded. On October 29, 2012, the bridge was closed due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. On March 6, 2013, during the March 2013 nor'easter, high winds again caused the bridge to be closed.
On August 10, 2008, a tractor trailer involved in a head-on collision near the west end fell from the bridge; the driver died in the crash. The incident has highlighted concern that the bridge may not be structurally safe, but the Maryland Transportation Authority has discounted any structural or engineering problems with it. Inspections of the wall in the weeks following the accident revealed that there was deterioration in the form of corrosion of the steel reinforcements inside barriers; this prompted immediate repairs to the wall.
Specifications and operations
With shore-to-shore lengths of, the two spans of the bridge form the longest fixed water crossing in Maryland and ranked 102nd among the world's longest over-water structures. The bridge's western terminus is in Sandy Point State Park, located northeast of Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, and its eastern terminus is in Stevensville on Kent Island in Queen Anne's County.Structural details
With the exception of the number of lanes on each and differences owing to the design standards for the periods in which they were built, the spans are structurally similar. Both were designed by J. E. Greiner Company, which later became a part of AECOM through the company's acquisition of URS Corporation. Each span features:- Two main spans over the bay's two shipping channels:
- *A suspension span over the western channel with a maximum clearance of —high enough to accommodate ocean-going vessels and tall ships
- *A through-truss cantilever span over the eastern channel with a maximum clearance of
- Deck truss and steel girder spans flanking the main spans
- Concrete beam spans on the portions closest to the shores
- A curve near the western terminus, which is required so that the main spans cross the bay's shipping channels at 90 degrees per United States Army Corps of Engineers requirements
Traffic control
In 2006, pink markers were placed along the eastbound span to mark out the suggested following distance, similar to systems used in Minnesota and Pennsylvania. The markers are a part of the MDTA's "Pace Your Space" campaign to prevent vehicle collisions and traffic congestion due to tailgating on the bridge.
In April 2013, changes were made to increase safety on the westbound span during two-way operations: signs, pavement markings, and rumble strips were modified, and a buffer zone between the left and center lanes was created. As a result, motorists can no longer switch between the left and center lanes, whether or not two-way operations are in effect. Two-way traffic may occur on the eastbound span during overnight roadwork or during emergency situations that close the westbound span, on which two-way traffic is more common. When the MDTA closes either span for overnight roadwork, it implements two-way traffic on the span that remains open. During eastbound span closure, two-way traffic operates on the westbound span with the center lane closed.
In January 2020, Governor Larry Hogan announced that the tollbooths on the eastbound side of bridge were being removed in preparation for all-electronic tolling on the Kent Island side of the eastbound bridge. During this project, with a traffic pattern change, eastbound motorists approaching the Bay Bridge should prepare to merge at Oceanic Drive on US 50/301. The merged two lanes tie directly into the two lanes on the eastbound bridge. The left lane is closed, unless the bridge is operating two-way on the westbound bridge. When two-way is in effect, the left lane ties into the one contraflow lane on the westbound bridge. Weather and traffic volumes permitting, the MDTA will implement two-way operations to help alleviate eastbound delays at the Bay Bridge. The agency is replacing lane control signals on both bridges with those that have flashing strobe lights to indicate a lane closure or a lane with contraflow traffic, and is installing an automated gate system on the bridge to allow quicker implementation of two-way traffic on the bridge. When the MDTA temporarily holds traffic to implement two-way traffic on the bridge it causes traffic congestion. With the automated gate system it will reduce the traffic congestion. When implementing two-way traffic.
The MDTA has used traffic cones and barrels to open and close crossovers, and to create tapers for the reversible lane. When two-way traffic is implemented, the MDTA momentarily stops traffic to reposition traffic cones and barrels to taper traffic into the reversible lane. MDTA Police then escort traffic across the bridge in the reversible lane. The MDTA will not implement two-way traffic in the following conditions: inclement weather fog, rain, snow, or wind speeds of 30–49 mph for a continuous period of 10 mins or more; or wind gusts persistently above 30 mph over a period of 15 mins. Full wind restrictions apply when wind speeds exceeding 50 mph for a continuous period of 10 mins or more, or with wind gusts persistently above 50 mph over a period of 15 mins. Traffic holds and bridge closures may be used when the wind speed exceeds 55 mph for a continuous period of 10 mins or more; or wind gusts persistently exceed 55 mph over a period of 15 mins. The MDTA may stop all traffic when the wind speed exceeds 55 mph. The MDTA will not implement two-way traffic on the bridge if the lane control signals are not functional or if any signs needed for two-way traffic are not in place, operational or damaged. The flashers on the two-way traffic sign on both sides of the bridge must be functional before two-way traffic can be implemented. The flashers on the sign have a time delay before they turn off. To alert drivers of any residual two-way traffic on the bridge. The MDTA has to constantly monitor two-way traffic operations on the bridge due the length of the bridge and the bridge not having any shoulders. The MDTA will stop two-way traffic if westbound delays are up to 3 miles or more. The MDTA will prioritize westbound traffic delays at this time. When westbound delays clear, the MDTA will re-implement two-way traffic on the bridge if eastbound delays are still present. When two-way traffic is implemented, the contraflow lane speed is reduced to 40 mph. While the westbound traffic speed limit remains at 50 mph. Anytime contraflow traffic is implemented on either of the bridges, the speed limit for the contraflow lane is reduced to 40 mph while the other lanes remain at 50 mph. If inclement weather, traffic incidents or wind speed restrictions are put in place while two-way traffic is in effect. MDTA Police will momentarily stop traffic for MDTA crews to reposition traffic cones and barrels to close off the left lane leading up to the bridge. Due to the May 2020 tollbooth removal, MDTA Police stop traffic at Sandy Point overpass to open and close the left lane which is the contraflow traffic lane. That connects directly to the westbound span. The right and center lane tie directly into to the eastbound bridge.
Tolls and fees
Operated by the MDTA, the bridge has a one-way toll of $4.00 for two-axle vehicles; vehicles with a Maryland E-ZPass pay $2.50. Previously the bridge had a one-way toll of $6.00 for two-axle vehicles ; vehicles with E-ZPass that were enrolled in the Bay Bridge Commuter Plan paid $2.10.Tolls were collected in both directions until April 1989, when tolls were doubled and only collected in the Eastbound direction.
The MDTA contracts with private companies to provide transportation across the bridge for nervous drivers and cyclists; fees are $25 and $30 for drivers and cyclists, respectively.
As of May 12, 2020, the Bay Bridge uses all-electronic tolling, with tolls payable through E-ZPass or Video Tolling, which uses automatic license plate recognition.
Bay Bridge Walk and Run
While there are no pedestrian facilities on the bridge, the Bay Bridge Walk and Governor's Bay Bridge Run used to afford an opportunity to cross the bridge on foot, usually on the first Sunday in May. The events took place on the eastbound span, which was closed to vehicles while two-way traffic shared the westbound span. Participants started on the east end of the bridge and proceeded west to the finish near the toll plaza. WMATA and MTA transit buses transported participants between outlying parking areas and the start and finish points.The run, a 10K race across the bridge, is held early in the morning before the walk. It is conducted by the Annapolis Striders, a local running organization, and controlled by the MDTA and Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Proceeds went to the Chesapeake Bay Trust in support of the bay.
The walk was first held in 1975, after a Boy Scout leader in Towson asked then-Governor Marvin Mandel if his troop could walk across the bridge while it was closed for maintenance. The annual walk was canceled for the first time in 1980 due to poor weather conditions, and later saw frequent cancellations throughout the 2000s. During this period the walk was canceled in:
- 2002 and 2007 due to poor weather conditions.
- 2003 and 2005 due to security concerns.
- 2008, 2009, and 2010 due to construction activity in the area on the west side of the bridge where participants would otherwise be staged. Fiscal concerns were also cited as a contributing factor to the 2010 cancellation.
- 2011 due to fiscal concerns.
- 2012 for undisclosed reasons.
After increasingly consistent cancellations of the walking event, the MDTA, along with Queen Anne's County, contracted with an outside company to have a professional 10K race across the bridge, which has been labeled the "Across the Bay 10K". The inaugural event occurred November 9, 2014. The Race Director is Dave McGillivray, who has served in that capacity for the BAA Boston Marathon since 1988. The Across the Bay 10K will have several charity beneficiaries, including bay research and restoration as well as breast cancer research and several others.
Impact
Since its construction, the bridge has made significant impacts on both sides of the bay; among them has been the growth of Eastern Shore communities. When the bridge opened in 1952, and again when the second span was added in 1973, the Eastern Shore was given easier access to Baltimore and Washington, causing areas in southern Queen Anne's County to develop as bedroom communities. This extension of the Baltimore–Washington suburbs has led Queen Anne's County to be listed as part of the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area. The bridge has also given easier access to Ocean City from the Western Shore, which has caused Ocean City to grow from a small town to one that is said to become the second largest city in Maryland during the summer.In 1948, the impending completion of the bridge gave rise to an extension of US 50 to Ocean City. The route was extended along the corridor of Maryland Route 404 and a large portion of US 213, cutting both of those routes back. During the 1950s, US 50 on the Western Shore was rerouted onto the long-proposed Annapolis–Washington Expressway, which was built at the time in order to provide better access to the bridge. As the Eastern Shore, particularly Ocean City, grew, further upgrades and realignments of US 50 took place. This work included the aforementioned 1973 completion of the second Bay Bridge span, the extension of the US 50 freeway eastward to the US 50/US 301 split in Queenstown, and the construction of a freeway bypass around the north side of Salisbury in 2002. Additionally, the road has been upgraded and realigned over the years from its original two-lane configuration to a four-lane divided highway, with the last such section being in Vienna, bypassed in 1991. As of 2008, there are plans for further upgrades to US 50, including extending its freeway portion in Queen Anne's County to MD 404 outside of Wye Mills and replacing the aging Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge into Ocean City.
The bridge is often the site of suicides by jumpers.