BALTIMORE, MD (October 9, 2002) – Beginning October 14, and continuing to November 27, the center lane of the westbound Bay Bridge will be closed 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week as part of the ongoing reconstruction of the westbound bridge deck. The work, which is anticipated to be complete in 2005, involves renovation of the westbound bridge deck and railings in areas east and west of the bridge’s main suspension spans.
During the five-week, center-lane closure, wide-load vehicles (in excess of 10 feet) will be restricted from crossing the westbound bridge. Drivers of wide-load vehicles should follow the alternate route listed on their permits.
Scheduled lane closures and new traffic patterns are as follows:
- Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, October 14, and continuing to 5 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, the center lane of the westbound bridge will be closed 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.
- From October 14 through November 27, double lane closures will be in effect Sunday through Friday, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
- From November 2 through November 23, double lane closures also will be in effect each Saturday from 10 p.m. to 11 a.m.
- Between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday, westbound traffic will be stopped periodically to allow workers to return to a single-lane closure.
- Weather permitting, two-way traffic will operate on the eastbound bridge from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. During this two-way operation, eastbound wide-load vehicles will be restricted from crossing the bridge until 10 a.m. Two-way operation on the eastbound span may also be implemented in the event of significant westbound back-ups.
- During two-way operation, the left lane of westbound Route 50 prior to the bridge will be directed onto the eastbound span.
- There will be no scheduled closures during the Thanksgiving Holiday period, from 6 a.m. Wednesday, November 27 through 9 p.m. Monday, December 2.
Motorists are urged to exercise caution and obey posted speed limits and overhead-lane control signals.
A Maryland Transportation Authority Police officer will be stationed in the area of the MD 8 overpass during the morning rush hours to assist with traffic flow as necessary. Additionally, a portable message sign positioned at the MD 8 overpass will advise motorist to tune their radios to 1610 AM for timely traffic and incident information.
To help avoid unnecessary delays caused by disabled vehicles, motorists should check their vehicles’ tires and gasoline and fluid levels prior to traveling the bridge.
A different traffic pattern, which will involve closing one outside lane of the westbound bridge, will begin on or about December 2. Details associated with this closure will be announced in late November.
For additional information on this project, visit the Bay Bridge Deck Rehabilitation website at http://www.baybridgeproject.com/ or contact the Bay Bridge BAYSPAN hotline at 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726).
The Maryland Transportation Authority is the state agency that oversees Maryland’s seven toll facilities.
Posted: 11-6-2002
