Traffic Tips for Bay Bridge, Maryland Highways: Avoid Peak Hours

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Gas prices have dropped considerably from a year ago, state officials expect a 6 percent increase in Maryland traffic counts compared to last year for this Memorial Day weekend, so when should you hit the road to avoid traffic jams?

Officials with the Maryland Transportation Authority, which manages the toll facilities in the state, said 1.9 million drivers will pass through its roadways between Friday, May 27, and Monday, May 30.

That includes 377,000 vehicles on the Bay Bridge, 487,000 on Interstate 95 and 500,000 through the Fort McHenry Tunnel in Baltimore.

An additional 599,000 vehicles are projected to travel the Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695), the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40) and the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (US 301) combined.

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To avoid major traffic delays, MDTA suggests leaving for vacation before 2 p.m. Thursday, or traveling in the morning or late evening.

And it’s crucial to travel at off-peak times when heading to and from the Eastern Shore. The MDTA says 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.

Check traffic conditions before you hit the road:

• Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (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 at twitter.com/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. Call 511 or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information.

Maryland drivers should expect to pay $2.31 a gallon for regular, unleaded gasoline this weekend on average, which is nearly 40 cents a gallon less than a year ago, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.

AAA has online tools to help drivers save on fuel:

• Fuel Price Finder locates the lowest fuel price in your area.
• Fuel Cost Calculator helps budget travel expenses.
• TripTik Mobile plots fuel prices along your travel route.

Stepped-Up Police Patrols Across Maryland

MDTA Police will target aggressive and impaired drivers, seatbelt violators and criminal activity this weekend. Officers have stepped up seatbelt enforcement during the Click It or Ticket Campaign under way through May 31. Additional MDTA Police patrols will be on the lookout for impaired drivers at the Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels and the Key Bridge on May 26 and at the Bay Bridge and the Intercounty Connector on May 27.

The MDTA Police and Vehicle Recovery Units will have additional patrols on duty to respond quickly to incidents and disabled vehicles during the holiday weekend. In addition, the MDTA will lift construction-related temporary lane closures at its facilities from 5 a.m. Friday, May 27, to 12 a.m. Tuesday, May 31.

Rules of the Road:

• Devote your full attention to driving - it is illegal to text and use hand-held cell phones while driving in Maryland.
• Buckle Up! Every Seat. Every Time.
• State law requires vehicles to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck using visual signals. 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.
• Headlights 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.