ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that all lanes at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge will be open this summer as deck work on the westbound right lane is completed a year ahead of schedule and all-electronic tolling goes live.
Hogan, along with Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Executive Director James F. Ports, Jr. and MDTA construction inspectors and work crews removed Toll Booth 4 during the press conference to mark the first milestone in replacing existing toll systems.
“I am pleased to announce that this project will be completed a full year ahead of schedule and that all lanes on the Bay Bridge will be open by the summer of 2020,” Hogan said. “Our entire team has spent the past few months working around the clock to make today’s announcement possible. I want to thank all of the men and women who are designing and constructing these important projects, as well as everyone who operates, maintains, and protects the bridge and its travelers each and every day.”
At the Oct.16, 2019 Board of Public Works meeting, Gov. Hogan directed the MDTA to expedite the schedule for the deck rehabilitation project and to implement all-electronic tolling at the Bay Bridge as soon as possible.
The MDTA developed a plan to complete the westbound right lane work and bring all-electronic tolling to Bay Bridge travelers by summer 2020.
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“Following the Governor’s direction, we’ve been working closely with the contractor to further minimize impacts to the public while continuing to expedite work,” MDTA Executive Director Ports said. “With warmer temperatures forecasted the week of February 2, the first rapid-set concrete pours will be able to take place during planned overnight closures between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. and not impact daytime traffic.”
The deck rehabilitation project began back in September 2019 after over a decade of deferred maintenance resulted in severe deterioration of the westbound right lane surface, posing a number of safety risks to Maryland motorists.
As a result of the now expedited schedule, all milling work is complete and 54% of the latex modified concrete is placed. Upcoming work on the westbound span includes: finishing the latex modified concrete in the right lane, replacing joints, repairing deck punctures, replacing steel rail posts, taking down jersey barriers, and restriping lanes.
Motorists also will see work underway on the all-electronic tolling project including utility relocation, roadway reconstruction, and installation of the new eastbound tolling gantry between the bridge and MD 8.