– The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) today announced final environmental approval for the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study, a milestone for the project under the Moore-Miller Administration. The approved crossing will enhance safe and reliable travel for residents and visitors for years to come, minimize environmental impacts and add $23 billion to the local economy while creating more than 60,000 jobs.
This week’s publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) marks the conclusion of the study and provides MDTA with an approved path forward for the new spans. The Federal Highway Administration identified Alternative C as the Selected Alternative for the new Chesapeake Bay Bridge spans. As the most cost-effective option, Alternative C includes the construction of two new four-lane bridge spans with full shoulders across the Chesapeake Bay and the removal of the existing bridge spans.
“Completion of the monumental Bay Crossing Study delivers a roadmap to the future and gives Maryland a critical approval for the next step of this project,” said Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary and MDTA Chair Katie Thomson. “The approved crossing aligns with MDOT’s goals of enhancing safety, reliability and accessibility for Marylanders while delivering economic value for nearby communities and the entire state.”…