Bay Bridge May See Eastbound Delays Friday Afternoon: Report

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Inclement weather may slow eastbound traffic on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Friday afternoon, highway officials warn. The bridge was under a wind warning, as of 8:51 a.m. The weather in Annapolis was still dreary around 11:30 a.m.

This means that the bridge may not have two-way traffic for the afternoon commute. Highway officials frequently divert one lane of eastbound traffic to the westbound span. The alternate traffic pattern allows three lanes to head east during rush hour.

The eastbound span of the bridge has two lanes. The westbound side has three lanes, one of which is convertible to head east.

Two-way traffic is prohibited when the bridge is under a wind warning or is experiencing adverse conditions. The Bay Bridge phone line said that visibility on the crossing was reduced by heavy fog at 11:24 a.m. The Transportation Authority asks that commuters use low-beam headlights, drive slower and maintain a safe following distance between vehicles.

Here's how to check on traffic and delays:

• Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions. Any pressing travel updates will be posted on the MDTA's Twitter.
• Visit baybridge.com to view traffic cameras and to sign up for email alerts.
• Follow the MDTA on social media at TheMDTA and facebook.com/TheMDTA.
• Ease your travel with E-ZPass. Visit ezpassmd.com to enroll online and for a list of E-ZPass "On the Go" retail locations.
• Know Before You Go - To view traffic cameras on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information. When you call 511, just say "Reach the Beach." The free phone call can eliminate some of the hassle of your road trip.
• To sign up for email/text alerts or view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov.

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