BALTIMORE, MD—More than 350,000 vehicles will cross the Bay Bridge between Friday, August 30, and Labor Day Monday, September 2, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The MDTA said that travel delays are expected and advised people to stay on U.S. 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents.

The MDTA said that two-way operations to help prevent eastbound queues from becoming gridlocked will be implemented on most days, but they may be limited on certain days based on westbound traffic volumes. Two-way operations are prohibited when there is a red X on the lane-use control signals on the highway approaches and on the bridge. The MDTA said that motorists should expect significant delays when crossing the bridge and that the core issue is traffic volume exceeding lane capacity, not two-way operation timing nor management.

The MDTA also reminded motorists that the state’s Move Over law applies to all stopped vehicles displaying any type of caution signals or warning lights. The MDTA said that if you cannot safely move over into an available lane that’s not immediately adjacent to the stopped vehicle, you should slow down. The MDTA also reminded people to not be distracted while driving and to obey traffic laws.

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 online here.

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.

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.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via Pixabay