Getting AroundFriday, November 6
Federal officials approve replacing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge with two new spans
The Daily Bowie team
If you drive U.S. 50/301 toward the Eastern Shore, this one's for you. The Maryland Transportation Authority announced Thursday that federal officials selected Alternative C, which would build two four-lane spans with full shoulders and remove the existing bridges. U.S. 50/301 would also widen to eight lanes from west of Oceanic Drive to east of Cox Creek.
- Estimate: $14.8 billion to $16.4 billion, per December 2025 board materials
- Bike and pedestrian path: possible, pending a financial feasibility review
- Documents: baycrossingstudy.com, or call 1-667-203-5408 for help
Bay Bridge construction could start as early as 2032
- Nov. 5Federal officials give final environmental approval to the replacement plan.
- 2028MDTA expects design of the new spans to begin.
- 2032Earliest possible start of construction on the two new spans.
Sources: WTOP News, Eye On Annapolis, FOX 5 DC
The decision follows a review that included attendance at over 120 community events. The project still needs permits, including one from the U.S. Coast Guard, and the announcement didn't say whether construction funding has been secured.
The Bay Bridge plan by the numbers
- $23 billion
- MDTA says the project would add to the local economy
- 60,000
- or more jobs the project would create, MDTA says
- 5,600
- comments and survey responses MDTA received
Queen Anne's County Commissioner Jim Moran called it "a significant milestone and one that has been a long time coming." Jay Falstad of the Queen Anne's Conservation Association called the announcement "a major disappointment."
Sources: FOX 5 DC, WTOP News, The Zebra, MyEasternShoreMD, Eye On Annapolis