27th Annual Bay Bridge Walk

Sunday, May 6, 2001
1-877-BAYSPAN

What: 27th Annual Bay Bridge Walk, sponsored by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) (the first Bridge Walk was held in April 1975). The eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge will be closed to traffic and opened to pedestrians to enjoy a walk across the bridge. Two-way traffic will operate on the westbound span from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists using the Bay Bridge will experience delays throughout the day and into the evening.

When: The walk starts at 9 a.m. Shuttles begin boarding at 8:30 a.m. from designated parking locations.

Please plan to carpool and arrive early. In prior years, parking lots have filled before 11 a.m. Once the three parking areas are full, there will be no access to the bridge.

How: Those who wish to participate must go to one of three designated parking locations listed below. From the parking areas, walkers will be taken to the Eastern Shore side of the bridge via Mass Transit Administration (MTA) buses. Walkers travel from east to west (toward the toll plaza). After finishing the walk, participants board MTA buses to return to the parking lots. Individuals with disabilities are invited to participate, as many of the MTA buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

Parking: The three parking locations are:

NAVAL-MARINE CORPS STADIUM -- Rowe Boulevard (MD 70 off of US 50) in Annapolis. This parking area is most convenient for participants coming from Washington, D.C., Southern Maryland or Northern Virginia. USE EXIT 24 OFF OF US 50.

ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE -- College Parkway just east of Ritchie Highway (MD 2), about 9 miles south of the Marley Station Mall. Best for participants coming from the Baltimore-metro area.

CHESAPEAKE BAY BUSINESS PARK -- On the Eastern Shore at the intersections of Routes 8 and 18, just off of US 50, about 1.7 miles east of the Bay Bridge. Most convenient lot for participants coming from the Eastern Shore or Delaware.

There is no other parking available for the walk.

Cost: There is a $1 donation required from participants age six and older to help defray the cost of the MTA buses.

How far is the walk? The eastbound span of the Bay Bridge is 4.3 miles long, shore-to-shore. Total distance of the walk is a little more than 4.5 miles. Most walkers complete the event in two hours. Note: Walkers should wear comfortable clothing, keeping in mind that it is always more breezy and cool on the bridge than inland.

Accommodations: Drinking water and portable restroom facilities (ADA accessible) will be available along the bridge. Maryland Transportation Authority Police officers will be stationed at intervals on the span to render assistance to walkers. If a participant is unable to complete the walk, he or she should approach a police officer for help. In addition, if parents become separated from their children, they should alert a police officer.

Lost and found: If parents become separated from their children, they should alert a police officer and proceed to the Truck Weigh Station building located just beyond the walk’s finish line. Lost property may also be claimed at this location.

Prohibitions: For the safety of all walkers, jogging, running, pets, bikes, boom boxes, roller-skates/blades and skateboards are prohibited. Strollers or small wagons to carry children are permitted. Individuals in wheelchairs are welcome to participate.

Inclement weather: The walk will be canceled in the event of rain or high winds. A decision to cancel the event will be made at 6 a.m. event day. We will advise local radio stations of the cancellation. You also may call 1-877-BAYSPAN anytime after 6:30 a.m. to learn the status of the walk. If the event is canceled, it will not be rescheduled for this year.

Governor's Bay Bridge Run: For information about the Governor’s Bay Bridge Run, which precedes the walk, please call the Annapolis Striders’ run hotline at 410-268-1165. The run is limited to the first 3,000 registered runners. Registration is held in advance of the run date.

Posted: 2-7-2001