BALTIMORE, MD—With the Fourth of July falling on a Sunday this year and more people expected to travel with the lifting of Maryland’s COVID-19 State of Emergency on July 1, the Maryland Transportation Authority expects increased travel across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Friday, July 2, through Monday, July 5.

The MDTA is encouraging motorists to plan ahead, leave plenty of time, slow down, and follow suggested drive times to avoid delays throughout the holiday weekend.

The Bay Bridge and the US 50 corridor will remain busy during this travel period. Motorists should expect heavier eastbound traffic volumes Friday, July 2, and Saturday, July 3, with the heaviest westbound traffic volumes expected Sunday, July 4 and Monday, July 5. Motorists should stay on US 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents.

Residents are advised to travel off-peak when heading to and from the Eastern Shore. The best times to travel the Bay Bridge this holiday period include:

• Friday, July 2 – before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Saturday, July 3 – before 6 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Sunday, July 4 – before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Monday, July 5 – before 6 a.m. and after 5 p.m.

Weather and traffic volumes permitting, the MDTA will implement two-way operations to help alleviate eastbound delays at the Bay Bridge. Motorists are reminded to pay attention and adhere to overhead lane signals. As a reminder, two-way operations are prohibited during bridge wind warnings/restrictions, fog or times of precipitation. Note: Two-way operations may be limited Sunday and Monday based on westbound traffic volumes.

For 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic information call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or visit https://www.baybridge.com.

Additional travel tips:

• Allow for extra time to get to your destination.
• Slow down. Speed limits are designed to protect everyone. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of a crash.
• Devote your full attention to driving and maintain a safe following distance.
• Move over. State law requires vehicles to move over when approaching an emergency, transportation, service and utility vehicle or tow truck with red, yellow or amber flashing lights. If you are unable to move over, slow down.
• 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. A breakdown can create a backup within seconds. If your vehicle breaks down, exit the roadway or, if that isn’t possible, remain inside your vehicle and call #77 for assistance.

The 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.

All-electronic (cashless) tolling is permanent statewide. Tolls are collected through E-ZPass, Video Tolling, and the newest way to pay for Maryland tolls, Pay-By-Plate. 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 toll deposit.

DriveEzMD Customer Service Centers will be closed Monday, July 5. Visit https://www.DriveEzMD.com or use the automated system at 1-888-321-6824 for 24/7 account maintenance or to make payments.