How To Check If Chesapeake Bay Bridge Is Open Or Closed By Winds

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Winds from the nor'easter have eased off just a bit for Anne Arundel County, so state transportation officials say the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is open Saturday, March 3, but it will likely operate with restrictions throughout the weekend. Anne Arundel County should still be smacked with wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph through early Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Authorities warn that debris, falling trees and branches could still pose hazard, power outages and hamper repair efforts to restore electricity service.

Saturday morning all lanes of the Bay Bridge are open under wind warning conditions, which means drivers of house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds should use caution while traveling across the bridge.

The Maryland Transportation Authority says drivers should be prepared for wind warnings, restrictions and the potential for temporary traffic holds at MDTA bridges into Sunday, March 4. Any decision to hold traffic at a toll facility would be based upon current weather at that site.

High winds will likely prevent two-way operations (when one lane of eastbound traffic travels on the westbound span) at the Bay Bridge during Saturday's afternoon rush-hour period. Drivers may experience eastbound delays. Officials will continue to monitor weather conditions and will implement two-way operations, if possible.

Shortly before 10 a.m. Saturday the MDTA tweeted: "ALL lanes are open at the Bay Bridge. Buffer lanes have been removed. Wind warnings remain in effect. Use caution crossing."

Officials urged drivers to keep travel speeds down and both hands on the steering wheel during these conditions. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not hazardous road conditions. Wind gusts are unpredictable.

When the span is open, there have often been full wind restrictions in place, which mean the bridge is under sustained wind speeds exceeding 50 mph for a continuous period of 10 minutes or more; or wind gusts persistently exceed 50 mph over a period of 15 minutes. In these conditions only automobiles, pickup trucks, flatbed trailers, commercial buses and heavy-laden tractor/trailers are permitted to cross the bridge. Tractor-box trailer combinations will not be permitted to cross any bridge if the gross weight is less than 64,000 pounds.

SEE ALSO: Top MD Wind Gusts Town By Town For March 2 2018

You can call the 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) hotline for the latest conditions; it was down at times on Friday but is operating normally Saturday. Get real-time updates on major incidents on Twitter and see live traffic camera images on MDTA roadways at mdta.maryland.gov. Or follow the MDTA on Facebook at facebook.com/TheMDTA. (For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Wind conditions, bridges:

• Wind Warnings (sustained wind speeds of 30-39 mph for a continuous period of 10 mins or more; or wind gusts persistently exceed 30 mph over a period of 15 mins) operators of house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds are advised to use caution while traveling across the bridge.
• Limited Wind Restrictions (sustained wind speeds of 40-49 mph for a continuous period of 10 mins or more; or wind gusts persistently exceed 40 mph over a period of 15 mins) house trailers, empty box trailers or any vehicle that, in the opinion of law-enforcement personnel, may not safely cross the bridge will be prohibited from traveling the bridge. Motorists who are denied passage will be assisted with safely turning around.
• Full Wind Restrictions (sustained wind speeds exceeding 50 mph for a continuous period of 10 mins or more; or wind gusts persistently exceed 50 mph over a period of 15 mins) only automobiles, pickup trucks, flatbed trailers, commercial buses and heavy-laden tractor/trailers are permitted to cross the bridge. Tractor-box trailer combinations will not be permitted to cross any bridge if the gross weight is less than 64,000 pounds.
• Traffic Holds/Bridge Closure (sustained wind speeds exceeding 55 mph for a continuous period of 10 mins or more; or wind gusts persistently exceed 55 mph over a period of 15 mins) In the event of a sudden increase of sustained wind speeds or wind gusts that could jeopardize life or property, the MDTA may stop all traffic across the bridge.

Do you see other closures? Tell us in the comments!

As of 9 a.m. Saturday the state said all bridges are open but operating in warnings or restrictions. The Tydings bridge is under full wind restrictions. That means tractor-box trailer combinations will not be permitted to cross any bridge if the gross weight is less than 64,000 pounds.

The (I-695) Key Bridge is in limited restrictions. (US 50/301) Bay, (US 40) Hatem and (US 301) Nice Bridge are open under wind warnings.

Full wind restrictions take effect when winds greater than 50 mph have been reported. Only automobiles, pickup trucks, flatbed trailers, commercial buses and heavy-laden tractor/trailers are permitted to cross the bridge.

How To Weather The Windstorm

• Get your emergency kit in order. Plan for at least three days of supplies. Recommended items to include are bottled water, non-perishable food, battery-operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, toiletries, first aid kit, pet food, prescription medications and copies of important documents (i.e., insurance policies, bank accounts, identification).
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting in anticipation of a power outage. Open the door only when necessary and close quickly. Frozen food in a half-full freezer should remain safe for up to 24 hours, and in a full freezer, up to 48 hours.
• Use flashlights and battery-powered lanterns for light. Avoid using candles which pose a fire risk.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as personal cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill a bathtub or other large container with the water. This is particularly important for those whose water runs off of an electrical system.
• Stay indoors and limit travel only to absolutely necessary trips. Allow emergency crews to clear roads and provide emergency assistance.
• Use care around downed power lines. Assume a downed wire is a live wire.
• Watch out for overhead hazards such as broken tree limbs, wires and other debris.
• Make sure backup generators are well ventilated. Never use grills, generators or camping stoves indoors.

Image via Maryland Transportation Authority