The latest from the Maryland Transportation Authority:
“Testing of the parapet on the left side of the eastbound span is complete, and data collected indicates some corrosion of reinforcing steel bolts encased in the concrete barrier.
The left lane was closed this morning as crews began round-the-clock work to strengthen the left parapet at both ends of the bridge. The repairs underway are similar to those already made on the right parapet.
During the 24/7 LEFT lane closure on the eastbound span, two-way traffic is expected to operate on the westbound span during the following times to provide two lanes for eastbound travelers:
• Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Thursday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• As needed, Monday through Saturday, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., to accommodate
full eastbound span closures.
Commuters will still have three westbound lanes available during the morning rush, as will travelers returning from the Eastern Shore on the weekend.
Travelers heading to Ocean City from the Baltimore area are advised to take northbound I-95 to southbound Route 1 in Delaware (exit 4). Motorists may continue to Route 528 to Coastal Highway, or take DE 1 to US 113, to either MD 90 or US 50 into Ocean City. For a complete list of suggested alternate routes, visit baybridge.com.
The Authority reminds motorists to travel the eastbound span at the posted speed of 40 mph and to stay on US 50 and avoid local roads to access the bridge.
In addition, trucks wider than 12 feet are prohibited from traveling the bridge in the eastbound direction during repairs and must use alternate routes. The restriction includes trucks that have been issued blanket permits.”
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Tags: bay bridge, MDTA, September 3
September 3, 2008 at 11:32 am |
Living on the Shore and working on the other side definitely poses its challenges and activity on the bridge is one of them.
My family and I have made some alterations to our schedules given the back ups and the construction. For one I try to be back over the bridge in the early afternoon and work from home so that we have some to get our daughter off the bus. We do not make any unneccessary trips over to Annapolis in the late afternoon or evenings. I have also taken to doing business in Easton instead of Annapolis to keep from getting stuck in 2 way traffic and back ups.
We all pray that repairs can be done quickly and especially effectively. We all need to remember that more lives could have been lost because of an error in judgement and find ways to keep on Living on the Shore.