What's happening with the new Bay Bridge crossing
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An aerial view of the Bay Bridge. Photo: Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun, Tribune News Service via Getty Images
It's prime summer traffic time over the Bay Bridge as DMV drivers head to the beach and shore — so you may be wondering what's going on with plans for a new crossing.
Why it matters: A $28 million study is exploring ways to alleviate congestion along the critical Maryland route that funnels tens of thousands of cars daily — and tangible results are on the way.
State of play: Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has already completed phase one of the study, which explored locations for a potential new crossing. They determined it should be in the same corridor as the existing Bay Bridge due to the infrastructure that's already in place.
- They're in the middle of phase two, which weighs environmental impacts and a wide range of options for the crossing. Those include building a new bridge, tunnel, bridge-and-tunnel combo, or no-build alternatives like changing traffic patterns.
- MDTA is also exploring creating bike and/or pedestrian lanes for the future project. Sadly, there's no real plan for a train.
What's next: The study is set to wrap in 2026, which will firm up a timeline and budget (somewhere in the billions). But first, MDTA will host public meetings later this summer and early fall.
- "Conceptual ideas will become lines on paper, so it'll be easier for the public to get involved and give feedback," Melissa Williams, MDTA's director of planning and program development, tells Axios.
Yes, but: The public is already welcome to share their input on the study site, and MDTA has fielded over 1,000 comments. Two misconceptions they're eager to clear up based on feedback.
- They're not going to close the Bay Bridge to make way for a new project.
- And they're not going to create a "mega-highway" across the bay with a huge new structure.
The big picture: Baltimore's tragic Key Bridge collapse and resulting rebuild, estimated at nearly $2 billion, doesn't impact funding for the current Bay Crossing study because monies were previously allocated.
- But a determination will be made once the study concludes about whether MDTA will move forward with design and construction.
- "At that time we'll have a more solid idea of what's going on with the Key Bridge and we can make a better statement about [its impact]," says Williams, who adds the collapse "did not minimize the need" for the Bay Bridge study.
By the numbers: Over 43,000 vehicles cross the Bay Bridge per weekend day, according to a 2022 MDTA study, with more than 41,000 on weekdays.
What they're saying: "There's a misnomer that traffic is beach traffic. Maybe back in the day, but not anymore," says Williams. "We have a huge number of commuters. It's not a weekend problem, it's Monday through Sunday."
Flashback: The Bay Bridge opened in 1952, connecting the western and then-isolated Eastern Shore that wasn't easily accessible. A second westbound span was added in 1973.
- Stretching 4.2 miles, the Bay Bridge was the longest over-water structure in the world when it opened, and the third-longest bridge.
The intrigue: It's also a scary bridge — lengthy and steep, with a little too much visibility for some. So there's a company that'll provide escort drivers.
- Williams says a new crossing "won't be as high or steep in the future." She says even her transit colleagues get the bridge jitters, "But we all have to admit — it's a beautiful view."
If you go: MDTA monitors traffic, provides updates, and also gives advice on best travel times.