Bay Bridge Traffic Changes Begin This Weekend For MD Beach Season

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Ramp closures on U.S. Route 50 begin this weekend near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to combat beach-bound traffic.

This is the fourth year of the Bay Bridge traffic reduction program operated by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration. It is designed to limit traffic-slowing merges near the already congested Bay Bridge.

Beginning Friday and continuing through Aug. 30, the on-ramp from Oceanic Drive onto eastbound US 50/US 301 will be closed from 10 a.m. Fridays to 6 p.m. Saturdays.

During those periods, drivers wishing to access eastbound US 50/US 301 must enter from Exit 29 (MD 179 at Busch’s Frontage Road) or Exit 30 (Whitehall Road). Drivers using the service roads will need to travel to Exit 29 or Exit 30 to access eastbound US 50/US 301.

The closures are outlined in the map below.

Detour signs and portable variable message signs will be placed along connecting state roads to guide drivers during the ramp closures. The State Highway Administration will monitor traffic operations throughout the temporary ramp closure period and make adjustments as needed.

More details are posted at this link.

The Broadneck Peninsula Ramp Management Project is independent from the 2025 Queen Anne’s County ramp management program in the Kent Island area. Details of that program are available here.

Drivers can always visit baybridge.maryland.gov for real-time traffic updates.

Officials are considering a long-term plan to relieve traffic on the aging Bay Bridge.

One proposal includes building two wider spans and then demolishing the current two crossings. Previous suggestions centered on building a third span to supplement the existing two.

To learn more about the debate, read Patch's latest story on Bay Bridge construction.

Related:

• Bay Bridge At Higher Risk Of Ship Strike, Safety Improvements Planned
• Bay Bridge Replacement: Could New Crossing Have 10 Lanes Split Between 2 Spans?