The Maryland Transportation Authority will begin closing one lane of the eastbound Bay Bridge span on a daily basis starting Thursday to clean and paint portions of the steel barrier wall.

The one-lane closures will last until March 31 and are part of the first phase of a three-year, $39.2 million project. Authority officials say it will cost about $71 million and take five years to clean and paint the eastbound bridge.

The closures are scheduled:

Seven days a week from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3: 30 p.m.

Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

"The authority worked diligently to structure this contract so that it will have the least possible impact on traffic," said Thomas L. Osborne, executive secretary of the authority. "The contract limits the work solely to off-peak travel periods."

One eastbound lane will be open all the time. When traffic volumes are high enough, officials will open one lane on the westbound span for eastbound motorists.

Motorists should use extreme caution, obey speed limits and follow message signs.

Traffic conditions: 888-288- 1650.

Pub Date: 9/29/98