The Chesapeake Bay Bridge connects Maryland’s eastern and western shores and opened in 1952. A parallel span with three lanes opened in 1973. The bridge is busy in summer and during peak hours, and a toll is charged for eastbound traffic. Studies have been conducted to determine whether another bridge is needed.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is a double span bridge that spans the Chesapeake Bay and connects the eastern and western shores of Maryland in the United States. Officially named the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge in honor of the Maryland governor when construction began, it opened to the public as a two-lane highway in 1952. Its 4.32-mile (6.95 km) length made it the longest on the water era steel bridge. A parallel span with three lanes opened in 1973. Although all five lanes of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge are technically reversible, the newer span typically carries two westbound lanes and one reversible lane, with the original bridge carrying the lanes in an easterly direction.
Before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was built, travel between Maryland’s eastern shore and its western shore was long and time-consuming. The ferries could not keep up with the demand. In 1938, the Maryland General Assembly authorized construction of a bridge between Kent Island and Annapolis, but World War II prevented construction from starting. The first step for the bridge finally took place in 1949. Construction of the second span began in 1969.
The new span was designed to be a modernized replica of the original bridge, but there are differences in their structures. Both spans feature a 1,600-foot (488 m) suspension bridge and a 690-foot (210 m) secondary bridge. The new span, however, has taller suspension towers that have horizontal support beams, as opposed to the cross support beams of the older span’s towers. The trusses of the new span are also under the road, giving drivers and passengers a clear view of the bay. The newer span’s secondary bridge is a steel arch structure, as opposed to the original span’s cantilevered design.
Commonly known as the Bay Bridge, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge connects the Baltimore and Washington, DC metropolitan areas to the more recreational Eastern Shore. It is very busy in summer and during peak hours. The bridge is operated by the Maryland Transportation Authority and a toll is charged for eastbound traffic. Cars are not allowed to pass other cars on the bridge.
Studies have been conducted to determine whether another bridge is needed at the current site or further north on Millers Island. These studies estimated that traffic would increase, but a decision on another bridge had not been made as of early 2011. The double spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge receive regular maintenance, including replacement of bridge sections.
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