Maryland Department of Transportation

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TRAVELING MARYLAND TOLL ROADS THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tamory Winfield, 410-537-1017

Prioritizing Safety, Helps You Arrive Safely
Follow Suggested Bay Bridge Drive Times to Reduce Delays
Know Your All-Electronic Tolling Payment Options

 

BALTIMORE, MD (May 20, 2024) – On March 26, 2024, the state of Maryland suffered an unthinkable tragedy when a marine vessel struck the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge. The tragic loss of six lives will remain with us forever. Marylanders and visitors continue to adjust driving routes and habits with the Key Bridge no longer one of our Baltimore Harbor Crossings. The southeast section of I-695 is closed on Outer Loop at MD 173 (Exit 1) and the last exit from the Inner Loop is MD 151/North Point Boulevard (Exit 42). For more information visit https://mdta.maryland.gov/keybridgenews.  

The I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel and I-895 Harbor Tunnel remain essential routes for motorists during this time. It is important to note that there are hazardous material and width & height restrictions at these facilities. Vehicles carrying hazardous or explosive materials, including bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers) are prohibited from using both tunnels. It does not matter whether the bottles are turned on or off, or for personal or business usage. These vehicles should use the western section of I-695 around the tunnels. More on vehicle restrictions here: https://mdta.maryland.gov/TunnelRestrictionsAndVehiclePermits. The MDTA Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Unit (CVSU) diligently monitors these areas to enforce compliance with safety regulations.

Work zones are present within the heavily traveled I-95 corridor. MDTA urges all motorists to focus, slow down and stay alert when driving through or near work zones.

MARYLAND SHOREBOUND?

**For 24/7 real time Bay Bridge traffic information call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or visit Baybridge.com. For real-time updates on major incidents on Maryland toll roads follow https://x.com/TheMDTA on X/Twitter.**

More than 330,000 vehicles will cross the Bay Bridge between Friday, May 24, and Memorial Day Monday, May 27. Expect travel delays in both directions – often simultaneously – at the bridge and along the US 50 corridor throughout the entire holiday travel period when traveling peak hours. Motorists should stay on US 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents.

The best times to travel across the Bay Bridge this holiday period will be off-peak, generally before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Specific off-peak times for each day of the holiday period include:

  • Eastbound
    • Thursday, May 23 – before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
    • Friday, May 24 – before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
    • Saturday, May 25 – before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
    • Sunday, May 26 – before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
    • Memorial Day Monday, May 27 – before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
    • Tuesday, May 28 – before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
  • Westbound
    • Thursday, May 23 – before 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
    • Friday, May 24 – before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
    • Saturday, May 25 – before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
    • Sunday, May 26 – before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
    • Memorial Day Monday, May 27 – before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
    • Tuesday, May 28 – before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Weather and traffic permitting, two-way operations will be implemented to help prevent eastbound delays from becoming gridlock at the Bay Bridge. Two-way operations may be limited based on westbound traffic volumes, as bridge officials strive to mitigate delays on both sides of the bridge. Two-way operations are prohibited during bridge wind warnings/restrictions, fog/limited visibility or times of precipitation, and may be prohibited during incidents.

Historically, heavy traffic volumes and related delays have occurred consistently in both directions at the Bay Bridge during the summer travel season. Drivers who travel during peak hours should expect significant delays when crossing the bridge. The core issue is traffic volume exceeding lane capacity, not two-way operation timing nor management. This has been observed routinely for many years on Sundays where three lanes westbound are not constrained by two-way traffic, yet heavy westbound delays are still present.

Lane signals apply to travel lanes BEFORE, ON and AFTER the bridge wherever lane signals are present.

  • RED X: Means the 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: Motorists can drive in the lane beneath the GREEN ARROW signal.

Police enforcement continues for motorists failing to obey the lane-use control signals on the US 50 approaches and on the bridge. Commercial vehicles must travel across the Bay Bridge in the right lane.

STAY ON SAFETY STREET

Protect yourself, your family and other travelers this Memorial Day weekend by following these rules of the road:

  • Remember that Maryland's Move Over law applies to all stopped vehicles displaying any type of caution signals or warning lights. If you cannot safely move over into an available lane that's not immediately adjacent to the stopped vehicle, slow down.
  • 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.
  • Avoid distractions when driving. It only takes a second to wreck it.
  • There's no excuse for impaired driving. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi or ride-share service or use Maryland Transit Administration's public transportation options.
  • Look twice for motorcycles. Riders must have a valid motorcycle license and should stay up to date on motorcycle safety.
  • 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 and tunnels.
  • 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.
  • Double (side-by-side) separation of lanes where Solid–White travel is in the same direction, indicates lane changing is prohibited. Changing lanes in tunnels and on bridges can be hazardous, especially with minimal or no shoulders.

MDTA Police will remain vigilant and target dangerous drivers, seat belt violations and criminal activity throughout the holiday travel period. To report aggressive or dangerous driving on Maryland toll roads, call MDTA Police Dispatch at 410-537-7911.

PAY TOLLS YOUR WAY!

Tolls in Maryland are collected through E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate and Video Tolling. E-ZPass is the most cost-effective, saving drivers up to 77% versus the higher rates –and also saving the additional paperwork – that comes with Video Tolls.

With Pay-By-Plate, tolls are automatically billed to the driver's registered credit card as they use Maryland toll facilities, with no need for a transponder or pre-paid deposit. Pay-By-Plate rates are the same as former cash rates. Learn more and enroll in E-ZPass or sign up for Pay-By-Plate at https://www.driveezmd.com/acct-types/. 

If using a rental vehicle over the holiday, you can add vehicle information temporarily to an E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate account. Otherwise, be sure to alert the rental car company before traveling a route that includes a toll facility.

DriveEzMD Customer Service Centers will be closed Saturday, May 25, and Monday, May 27. Visit DriveEzMD.com, download the DriveEzMD mobile app or use the automated system at 1-888-321-6824 for 24/7 account maintenance or to make payments. ​

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