Here Are Best, Worst Times To Cross Bay Bridge On Thanksgiving Weekend

ANNAPOLIS, MD — If you want to beat the congestion on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge during the extended Thanksgiving travel period, you'll have to get up with the morning birds or drive with the night owls. Every Marylander knows if you wait too long, you could get caught in miles-long traffic jams near the bridge.

The Maryland Transportation Authority warned drivers to travel off-hours if they don't want to chance the traffic heading to the Eastern Shore this holiday weekend.

Best Times To Cross

Thanksgiving is on Thursday, Nov. 28. The best times to cross the Bay Bridge on the holiday weekend are:

Eastbound:

• Tuesday, Nov. 26 – Before noon and after 8 p.m.;
• Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m.;
• Thursday, Nov. 28 – Before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m.;
• Friday, Nov. 29 – Before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.;
• Saturday, Nov. 30 – Before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.; and
• Sunday, Dec. 1 – Before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Westbound:

• Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.;
• Thursday, Nov. 28 – Before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m.;
• Saturday, Nov. 30 – Before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.; and
• Sunday, Dec. 1 – Before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

AAA predicted that nearly 80 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. That's up 1.7 million from last year, and it's a new record across all modes of transportation. About 71.74 million will travel by car, while 5.8 million will fly. The rest will take a train, bus or boat.

“As families and friends gather to celebrate the holidays and all of the seasonal festivities, I encourage everyone to keep the joyous spirit in their travels by being safe, paying attention, taking your time and being courteous to each other,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “You can help save lives by having a plan for a sober ride and ensuring everyone is buckled up. Whether you are traveling by car, plane or train, the Maryland Department of Transportation will help you get to your destination safely.”

Officials ask drivers to stay on U.S. Route 50 even if it is congested. This will keep local roads clear for first responders and residents.

If weather and traffic permit, the MDTA will open two-way operations to ease some of the traffic heading east. Wind, fog and rain could disrupt this plan, however.

"Drivers who travel during peak hours should expect significant delays when crossing the bridge," the MDTA said in the release. "We remind drivers that the core issue is traffic volume exceeding lane capacity, not two-way operation timing nor management."

Drivers may save some time on their trips to the Eastern Shore by taking the northern route, which covers more mileage while avoiding the Bay Bridge. Travelers can head up Interstate 95 north to Delaware and drive down Route 1 south to get to the beaches.

The Baltimore tunnels, however, may have increased delays with the absence of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Traffic, Safety Tips

Drivers must pay attention to these overhead signals before, on and after the bridge:

• RED X: Lane is closed. You MUST NOT enter or travel in any lane over which a RED X signal is shown.
• YELLOW X: Prepare to vacate the lane beneath the YELLOW X signal and move to a lane with a DOWNWARD GREEN ARROW.
• DOWNWARD GREEN ARROW: You can drive in the lane beneath the GREEN ARROW signal.

Here's how to check the traffic:

• 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 driveezmd.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 hassles 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.

Along with delays, authorities will be on the lookout for risky behavior on the roads. Travelers can report aggressive drivers to the MDTA Police at 410-537-7911.

The MDTA also offered these safety tips:

• Allow for extra time to get to your destination.
• Adhere to speed limits. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of a crash.
• Don’t drive distracted. Any activity that takes your focus away from the road ahead is a distraction.
• NEVER drive impaired by drugs or alcohol. Impaired driving endangers your life and the lives of others.
• Look twice for motorcycles, and remember that in Maryland, individuals may not operate or ride on a motorcycle unless they wear a helmet that is certified to meet U.S. Department of Transportation standards.
• Move over when approaching an emergency, transportation, service and utility vehicle or tow truck with red, yellow, or amber flashing lights. It’s the law. If you are unable to move over, slow down.
• Commercial vehicles must travel across the Bay Bridge in the right lane.
• Secure your load in vehicles and trailers before traveling. Items that can shift, slide or fall onto the roadway can lead to serious vehicle crashes, especially on roads with no shoulders like bridges.
• Make sure your vehicle is road ready. If your vehicle breaks down, exit the roadway. If that isn’t possible, remain inside your vehicle and call #77 for assistance.

Related:

• Bay Bridge Replacement: Could New Crossing Have 10 Lanes Split Between 2 Spans?
• Bay Bridge Closing 1 Span Overnight For Next Year
• Bay Bridge Traffic: Nearby Ramps Close Temporarily To Ease Congestion
• New Bay Bridge Span Study Seeks Feedback On Nearby Bikers, Pedestrians
• Bay Bridge Drivers Get Earlier Warning Of Lane Closures Via New Signs
• New Bay Bridge Span Inches Closer To Reality, MD Launches Next Step
• New Bay Bridge Crossing: MD Officially Proposes Location For 3rd Span