Massive Traffic Delays For Miles On Westbound Bay Bridge July 7

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Traffic backups stretched 17 miles at their worst on July 7 as Marylanders tried to make their way from the Eastern Shore to their homes. The Maryland Transportation Authority tweeted at 1:40 p.m. Sunday that westbound traffic was delayed for miles on Route 50 heading to the Bay Bridge.

About 4 p.m. the MDTA tweeted that the westbound Bay Bridge delays began at 10 miles at the US 50-301 split. By 7 p.m. the delay had dropped to 8.7 miles at Exit 45B Nesbitt Road, and drivers were reminded to turn headlights on. The delays ended about 9 p.m.

State traffic officials had urged vacationers to leave the Eastern Shore after 5 p.m. on Saturday, before 10 a.m. Sunday or after 10 p.m. on Sunday.

State highway officials suggest travelers 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.

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.

Highway officials also shared safe driving reminder for the holiday 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.