Deck rehabilitation work to continue during the holiday weekend.
Hanover, Md (KM) The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is expected to experience heavy traffic during the Thanksgiving Holiday period. Maryland Secretary of Transportation Pete Rahn says deck rehabilitation work will continue on the westbound span during the holiday, and that means the right lane will be closed.
“If you can avoid it , you should by all means–whether you’re heading east or west–avoiding the Bay Bridge will make your holiday travel more pleasant,” Rahn says.
The Maryland Transportation Authority says the best times to cross the eastbound Bay Bridge is Tuesday through Friday, November 26-29, before 9:00 AM and after 9:00 PM, and Monday, December 2nd before 12-noon and after 8:00 PM. On the westbound span, the best times to cross are Tuesday and Wednesday, November 26-27 before 5:00 AM, and after 6:00 PM; Thursday through Sunday, November 28-December 1 before 9:00 AM and after 6:00 PM; and Monday, December 2nd before 5:00 AM and after 2:00 PM.
The Secretary spoke during a news conference Monday at BWI/Thurgood Marshall Airport, with representatives from each of MDOT’s transportation divisions as they kicked off the Thanksgiving Holiday week with travel tips.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says a majority of Marylanders will be traveling by car to their destinations. Rahn says have your vehicle’s hoses, belts, radiators, lights and fluids checked before leaving. “Allow extra time if you’re driving. Be aware of weather. Drive responsibly. Don’t talk on hand-held devices. Do not drive impaired. Wear a seatbelt,” he says.
The State Highway Administration says it will boost services during the holiday on high travel areas such as Interstate 270 and 95, and US 50. CHART patrols will be available to respond to breakdowns an other incidents.
For those traveling by air, Rahn advises those individuals to get to the airport at least two hours ahead of time. “Our expectation is for 40,000 passengers a day to be using BWI/Marshall. That is a new record for us. You can expect delays,” he says.
MDOT also advises air travelers to pack carefully, and check TSA’s website for what’s allowed and not allowed through checkpoints.
” The airlines will not have very many empty seats during this time. If you miss your flight, the likelihood of you being able to get where you were headed are pretty slim,” Rahn says. “Arrive early; allow time; don’t be stressed.”
By Kevin McManus