Federal Government Approves Third Bay Bridge Span Next to Existing Bridge

The Bay Bridge is set to gain a third span at its existing location in a plan recently approved by the Federal Highway Administration. The proposed two-mile-wide addition aims to alleviate congestion on the Eastern Shore and facilitate beach traffic. The Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study has assessed the environmental and financial impact of various potential crossing points for years. According to the study, building the new span next to the existing bridge would likely be the least expensive option, provide the most traffic relief, and potentially have less environmental impact than other options.

The span will be located next to the existing bridge, connecting route 50 on both sides of the bay, which would stretch for 22 miles through Anne Arundel County to Queen Anne’s County. The project is estimated to cost between $5.4–$8.9 billion.

The new span will be a huge undertaking for the state as it will require new roadways, signage and other infrastructure on both sides of the bridge to connect to existing roadways in addition to the bridge itself. The construction will also need to take into account traffic patterns around existing communities and environmental concerns to avoid disruption. Said Anne Arundel County Executive Pittman, “We must also explore future traffic patterns along the whole Route 50 corridor, including options for public transit, shifts from sprawl development to smart growth, and telecommuting. We must not build yesterday’s bridge tomorrow.”

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