The Best Times To Cross Bay Bridge Over Memorial Day Weekend 2019

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Timing is everything if your Memorial Day weekend 2019 plans include a visit to Maryland's Eastern Shore. Leave at the right time and the drive isn't bad; hit the highway when everyone else does and you can sit in traffic for miles. State highway officials urge travelers to call 511 to get real-time traffic details east of the Bay Bridge and, when leaving the shore, points west to the bridge to avoid the worst of the holiday weekend congestion.

The Maryland Transportation Authority says 2 million drivers are expected to travel MDTA roadways this holiday, so plan ahead, travel off-peak and put safety first. This total represents a 1 percent increase in traffic counts compared to last year. And on the Bay Bridge (US 50/301) alone, more than 340,000 vehicles will cross the span between May 23 and May 27.

You should travel off-peak when heading to and from the Eastern Shore to avoid major traffic delays. The best times to travel the Bay Bridge this weekend are:

• Thursday/Friday – before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Saturday – before 7 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Sunday/Monday – before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.

“Expect sizeable increases in congestion on area freeways during the Memorial Day getaway,” said John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s manager of public and government affairs, in a news release. “But the ‘Mother of Dragons’ ... of all delays will occur on Memorial Day on a 32-mile stretch of westbound US 50, as travel delays increase over 300 percent and travel times stretch from 1 hour and 45 minutes to two hours and twenty minutes. If you know what’s good for you, avoid traveling around those hours and times when roads have historically been busiest.”

Drivers traveling to and from the Eastern Shore should use U.S. Highway 50 to keep local roads open for first responders and residents, officials say.

SEE ALSO: Worst Times To Travel In Maryland For Memorial Day 2019

Here's how to check on traffic and delays:

• Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions.
• Visit baybridge.com to view traffic cameras and to sign up for email alerts.
• Follow the MDTA on social media at TheMDTA and facebook.com/TheMDTA.
• Ease your travel with E-ZPass. Visit ezpassmd.com to enroll online and for a list of E-ZPass "On the Go" retail locations.
• Know Before You Go - To view traffic cameras on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information. When you call 511, just say "Reach the Beach." The free phone call can eliminate some of the hassle of your road trip.
• To sign up for email/text alerts or view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says an estimated 918,000 Marylanders plan to travel over the Memorial Day weekend, a 3.4 percent increase over last year. It's the fifth consecutive year travel volume in the state is expected to exceed 800,000.

“Maryland-area residents are ready to kick off the Memorial Day weekend with a trip,” said Ragina Cooper Averella with AAA Mid-Atlantic. “After a long winter and soggy spring, locals are ready to pack up the car, or catch a flight, bus or train in order to enjoy the warmer weather.”

Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan joined AAA Mid-Atlantic and law enforcement officials Wednesday to remind drivers to be sober and put down the phone when they drive. AAA Mid-Atlantic’s distracted driving campaign, “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated,” seeks to make distracted driving as socially unacceptable as drinking and driving. It targets drivers who regularly take their eyes off the road by using mobile devices while driving.

“We ask everyone to please walk smart, drive smart and bike smart while you visit us, as well as be aware of the dangers of impaired and distracted driving: Don’t Drive Intoxicated, Don’t Drive Intexticated," said Mayor Meehan of the resort city's safety campaign.

MDTA Police will target aggressive and impaired drivers, seatbelt violators and criminal activity. Officers will step up seatbelt enforcement during the Click It or Ticket Campaign through June 2. Additional police patrols will be on the lookout for impaired drivers at Maryland toll facilities throughout the holiday weekend.

In addition, the MDTA will lift construction-related temporary lane closures at its facilities from 5 a.m. Friday, May 24, to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 28.

Highway officials also shared safe driving reminder for the busy travel weekend:

• Put the cell phone down – it is illegal to text and use hand-held cell phones while driving in Maryland.
• Buckle Up! Every Trip. Every Seat. Every Time.
• 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.
• Obey posted speed limits and overhead lane-control signals.
• Avoid changing lanes while traveling over bridges and through tunnels.
• Turn your headlights on. They are required at all times on the Bay Bridge. Keep your eyes on the road – do not sight-see.
• Do not tailgate - keep a safe following distance.
• Make sure your vehicle is “road ready.” If your vehicle becomes disabled, remain inside and call #77 for assistance.

• When contacting a dispatch center, motorists should be prepared to provide:
  • The location of the emergency
  • A call-back telephone number and
  • Details of the incident/disabled vehicle or other circumstances.

The E-ZPass Maryland Customer Service Centers will be closed on Monday, May 27. Visit ezpassmd.com or use the automated system at 1-888-321-6824.