Bay Bridge Expects Delays As It Enters Wind Warning

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Travelers can expect delays as they head east on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Friday afternoon. The bridge is currently under a wind warning, meaning two-way traffic will be limited.

The bridge enters a wind warning when there are consistent 30 to 39 mph winds. Two-way traffic is prohibited during wind warnings, so drivers heading toward the Eastern Shore will have one less open lane.

The eastbound span of the bridge has two lanes, while the westbound side runs on three. During high-traffic times, like Friday afternoons during the summer, drivers are allowed to use one lane on the westbound bridge to head east. This creates two-way traffic on the westbound span.

The wind warning comes as Tropical Storm Fay creeps up the East Coast. The storm sent Ocean City into a flash flood warning and Delaware beaches into a tropical storm warning.

Tropical Storm Fay has already dumped 2.5 to 4 inches of rain on Ocean City. Forecasts say the storm could drop up to 7 inches of rain in some isolated areas on the Eastern Shore.

The National Hurricane Center says Fay brings 60 mph winds to the East Coast. A storm needs to register sustained 74 mph winds to become a Category 1 hurricane.

Drivers of the following vehicles should use extra caution while crossing the bridge: house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds.

Officials urged drivers to keep travel speeds down and both hands on the steering wheel during these conditions. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not hazardous road conditions. Wind gusts are unpredictable.

You can call the 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) hotline for the latest conditions. Get real-time updates on major incidents on Twitter and see live traffic camera images on MDTA roadways at mdta.maryland.gov. Or follow the MDTA on Facebook at facebook.com/TheMDTA.

RELATED:

• Tropical Storm Fay To Swamp MD, Delaware Beaches; Flood Warnings
  

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