BAY BRIDGE PROGRESS: ALL LANES OPEN BY SUMMER 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2020
ALL-ELECTRONIC TOLLING GANTRY INSTALLATION
SET TO BEGIN AT BAY BRIDGE
Work on Eastern Shore Side of Bridge Advances Cashless Tolling by Summer 2020
BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is scheduled to begin work this week to install foundations for the new overhead tolling gantry between the bridge and MD 8 on eastbound US 50/301. The work is part of the aggressive construction timeline to implement all-electronic (cashless) tolling at the Bay Bridge by summer.
During this initial stage of installation, one lane of the eastbound bridge will be closed for base foundation concrete pours from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, February 26, or Thursday, February 27, depending on weather or other variables; and also 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, February 28, or Saturday, February 29, also depending on weather or other variables.
The lane closure, with a single lane of traffic maintained up to the MD 8 exit ramp, will help ensure the safety of workers and motorists, and will accommodate the equipment needed for the work. Motorists will have access to all lanes of eastbound US 50/301 at the MD 8 exit ramp beyond the work zone.
Crews will perform additional work during planned overnight closures between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., with no impact on daytime traffic. Depending on overnight work progress, the eastbound lane closure dates may change. MDTA reminds motorists to slow down and avoid distractions when traveling through work zones, and to keep your eyes on the road. MDTA will advise the public of any changes to the work schedule. Installation of the eastbound overhead gantry will be completed during March and April, and all-electronic tolling will be in effect by summer.
Motorists can save money on tolls immediately and get ready for cashless tolling by enrolling in E-ZPass® Maryland. Sign up at ezpassmd.com or by visiting E-ZPass® Maryland Customer Service Centers at MDTA toll facilities, at many Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) locations and at retail partners. A full list of locations is available at ezpassmd.com. In addition, MDTA is hosting a series of E-ZPass® outreach events in Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s counties in February and March where customers can learn about all-electronic tolling and sign up for E-ZPass.® For a list of event locations go to https://go.usa.gov/xdPFG.
For the latest on Bay Bridge traffic, call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) or visit baybridge.com. Sign up for email/text alerts and view real-time traffic images on MDTA roadways at mdta.maryland.gov. For updates on major incidents follow the MDTA on Twitter at twitter.com/TheMDTA. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheMDTA.
