Highlights
The Bay Bridge carries travelers on Route 50 and Route 301 between the Chesapeake Bay's eastern and western shores. The idea of a bridge to traverse the Chesapeake Bay had long been discussed, but not until 1938 was state funding appropriated to the project. Ground finally broke in January 1949, and the original two-lane span of the 4.3-mile William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge opened to traffic in 1952. It replaced a ferry service that would carry cars across the bay. At the time, it was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure. As the need for efficient road travel and traffic grew, the original span was repurposed to carry eastbound traffic, and construction on a seco...
The Bay Bridge carries travelers on Route 50 and Route 301 between the Chesapeake Bay's eastern and western shores. The idea of a bridge to traverse the Chesapeake Bay had long been discussed, but not until 1938 was state funding appropriated to the project. Ground finally broke in January 1949, and the original two-lane span of the 4.3-mile William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge opened to traffic in 1952. It replaced a ferry service that would carry cars across the bay. At the time, it was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure. As the need for efficient road travel and traffic grew, the original span was repurposed to carry eastbound traffic, and construction on a second span carrying westbound traffic over the bay began in 1969 and was completed in 1973. The Maryland Transportation Authority, which maintains the bridge, is in the midst of a preservation and reconstruction project that includes resurfacing a portion of the westbound roadway. That work has forced the cancelation of the annual Bay Bridge Walk until 2009, when work is expected to be completed.
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Motorists ring a peal over tolls
To say that Bryan D. Fischer of Timonium wasn't persuaded by my Sept. 15 column suggesting variable tolls to relieve congestion on the Bay Bridge is putting it mildly. Unless he meant such words as "idiotic" and "tyranny" as compliments. My modest...Tags: Road Transportation, State Budgets, George Washington, Timonium, Ellicott City
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Police investigate abandoned vehicle on Bay Bridge
By a Baltimore Sun reporterTraffic on the Bay Bridge has returned to normal after two westbound lanes temporarily closed this morning because of police activity. Transportation Authority Police closed the westbound lanes to investigate an abandoned vehicle shortly after 6 a.m. The... -
Westbound Bay Bridge to close overnight for repairs
Baltimore Sun reporterThe westbound span of the Bay Bridge will be closed most nights beginning today until further notice -- possibly for several months -- the Maryland Transportation Authority announced today. Workers will be replacing railings and painting the span as part... -
Bay Bridge span will close on 4 nights
By a Baltimore Sun reporterThe eastbound span of the Bay Bridge will be closed overnight for four nights so crews can install rumble strips, the Maryland Transportation Authority announced today. The eastbound lanes will be closed tonight from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday; from... -
Some drivers using Florida's Turnpike experience expensive toll glitch
South Florida Sun-SentinelToll booths along Florida's Turnpike and Alligator Alley will soon begin receiving new axle-counting equipment to keep sensors from overcharging motorists. That happened in early 2007, when thousands of SunPass drivers at the turnpike's Commercial...Tags: Road Transportation, Homestead, Toyota, Miramar, Florida's Turnpike
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Overrule bridge inspection decision, O'Malley is urged
Upset that Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Ron Freeland rejected his request for an independent inspection of the Bay Bridge, Sen. E.J. Pipkin is going over his head. The Eastern Shore senator yesterday wrote to Gov. Martin O'Malley...Tags: Martin O'Malley
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Bay Bridge lane to be open for Labor Day travelers
The right lane of the eastbound span of the Bay Bridge has reopened after repairs were completed to strengthen a parapet, the Maryland Transportation Authority announced late last night. As a result, Labor Day travelers will be able to use three westbound...Tags: Labor Day, Public Holidays
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Pickup truck driver injured in Bay Bridge crash
The driver of a pickup truck was injured when his truck rammed the left guardrail on the westbound span of the Bay Bridge yesterday after it collided with another vehicle, Maryland Transportation Authority Police said. The driver of the truck was taken...Tags: Injuries, Vehicles
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Crews inspect guardrail on Bay Bridge after truck crash
The driver of a pickup truck was injured when his truck rammed into the left guardrail on the westbound side of the Bay Bridge today after it collided with another vehicle, Maryland Transportation Authority Police said. The driver of the truck was...Tags: Vehicles
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Picking wrong time to repair Bay Bridge
It is unbelievable and sad but true. The geniuses in the Maryland Department of Transportation have decided that it is so important to reinforce the guard rail on the eastbound Bay Bridge that they are closing one eastbound lane over the Labor Day weekend...Tags: Labor Day, Holiday Vacations
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Bay Bridge lanes left open to ease holiday traffic
Officials left all lanes of the Bay Bridge open for holiday travelers yesterday, and there were no reports of heavy traffic in either direction as the Labor Day weekend came to a close. Starting today, one lane on the eastbound bridge will be closed...Tags: Commuting, Labor Day, Building Material, Metal and Mineral
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Breaking down barriers
While repairs of traffic barriers at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge didn't produce the feared mammoth Labor Day weekend traffic back-ups, the underlying event raises a troubling question: If a tractor-trailer had not smashed through the concrete structures...Tags: Labor Day, Heavy Engineering, Building Material, Metal and Mineral
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