#MDSHOREBOUND FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY?
MDTA Suggests Bay Bridge Drive Times, Offers Travel Tips
BALTIMORE, MD (June 29, 2021) – With the Fourth of July falling on a Sunday this year and more people expected to travel with the lifting of Maryland’s COVID-19 State of Emergency on July 1, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) expects increased travel across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Friday, July 2, through Monday, July 5. The MDTA encourages motorists to plan ahead, leave plenty of time, slow down and follow suggested drive times to avoid delays throughout the holiday weekend.
The Bay Bridge and the US 50 corridor will remain busy during this travel period. Motorists should expect heavier eastbound traffic volumes Friday, July 2, and Saturday, July 3, with the heaviest westbound traffic volumes expected Sunday, July 4 and Monday, July 5. Motorists should stay on US 50 on BOTH sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents.
Travel off-peak when heading to and from the Eastern Shore. The best times to travel the Bay Bridge this holiday period include:
- Friday, July 2 – before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
- Saturday, July 3 – before 6 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
- Sunday, July 4 – before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
- Monday, July 5 – before 6 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
Weather and traffic volumes permitting, the MDTA will implement two-way operations to help alleviate eastbound delays at the Bay Bridge. Motorists MUST pay attention and adhere to overhead lane signals. As a reminder, two-way operations are prohibited during bridge wind warnings/restrictions, fog or times of precipitation. Note: Two-way operations may be limited Sunday and Monday based on westbound traffic volumes.
For 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic information call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or visit baybridge.com. For real-time updates on major incidents on Maryland toll roads follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/TheMDTA. You also can sign up for email/text alerts at https://bit.ly/2Dh9EZn, and follow the MDTA at facebook.com/TheMDTA.
To help protect yourself, your family and friends, as well as other drivers:
- Allow for extra time to get to your destination.
- Slow down. Speed limits are designed to protect everyone. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of a crash.
- Devote your full attention to driving and maintain a safe following distance.
- Move over. State law requires vehicles to move over when approaching an emergency, transportation, service and utility vehicle or tow truck with red, yellow or amber flashing lights. If you are unable to move over, slow down.
- Secure your load in vehicles and trailers before traveling. Items that can shift, slide or fall onto the roadway can lead to serious vehicle crashes, especially on roads with no shoulders like bridges.
- Make sure your vehicle is road ready. A breakdown can create a backup within seconds. If your vehicle breaks down, exit the roadway or, if that isn’t possible, remain inside your vehicle and call #77 for assistance.
The MDTA Police will remain vigilant and target dangerous drivers, seat belt violations and criminal activity throughout the holiday travel period. We remind drivers that every crash, injury and death caused by impaired driving is completely preventable. To report aggressive or dangerous driving on Maryland toll roads, call MDTA Police Dispatch at 410-537-7911.
All-electronic (cashless) tolling is permanent statewide. Tolls are collected through E-
ZPass, Video Tolling and the newest way to pay for Maryland tolls, Pay-By-Plate. With Pay-By-Plate, tolls are automatically billed to the driver’s registered credit card as they use Maryland toll facilities, with no need for a transponder or pre-paid toll deposit.
E-ZPass remains the most cost-effective way to travel toll roads in Maryland, saving drivers up to 77% versus the higher rates and additional paperwork that come with Video Tolls. Always properly mount your E-ZPass transponder to receive the lowest toll rate for your account. Enroll in E-ZPass or sign up for Pay-By-Plate today at DriveEzMD.com. We’ll Keep You Moving!
DriveEzMD Customer Service Centers will be closed Monday, July 5. Visit DriveEzMD.com or use the automated system at 1-888-321-6824 for 24/7 account maintenance or to make payments.
The MDTA wishes everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July and thanks all roadway users for their continued partnership with us to help keep travelers safe.