BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Board is scheduled to vote on Thursday, December 18, on a staff recommendation for the future of the Chesapeake Bay Crossing. The recommended option, designated as “Alternative C” under the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), calls for the construction of two new, four-lane bridge spans and the subsequent removal of the existing Bay Bridge spans.
Maryland Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle stated that the recommendation is an “exciting step” toward a crossing that offers a smoother travel experience for both commuters and local residents. Biddle asserted that Alternative C is the option that “best supports Marylanders’ current and future daily travel needs with the least environmental impact on our treasured Chesapeake Bay.”
Based on ongoing engineering and environmental studies, public feedback, and coordination with various partners, Alternative C features several key components:
- Two new four-lane bridge spans with full shoulders across the Chesapeake Bay, designed to enhance safety and provide additional transportation capacity, reliability, and mobility.
- Removal of the existing Bay Bridge spans, which will eliminate existing roadway deficiencies such as narrow lanes and lack of shoulders. This action is also intended to eliminate the need for major rehabilitation projects, associated lane closures, and delays, while increasing navigational clearance to meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements. The new clearance will match that of the new Key Bridge, allowing larger ships to access the Port of Baltimore.
- Widening of US 50/301 to eight lanes (four per direction) from west of Oceanic Drive to east of Cox Creek to accommodate transitions to the new crossing.
- Financial commitments for transit-related improvements.
- An optional bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path, which the MDTA will further evaluate for inclusion.
MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner emphasized the environmental and financial prudence of the recommendation. He noted that Alternative C “best fulfills the study’s purpose and need” and is the most cost-effective of the build alternatives, impacting the least amount of natural, socio-economic, and cultural resources. Gartner projects that the project would inject between $17 billion to $23 billion into the local economy and create an estimated 61,300 to 75,600 jobs, with 76% of those being direct employment of construction workers…