Queen Anne's County Leaders Raise Issue With Backups Caused By Bay Bridge Work

Queen Anne's County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday night to ask the state to stop any two-way operations on the westbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

LISTEN: President Queen Anne’s County Board of Commissioners Jim Moran

Commissioner At Large Jim Moran said commissioners are also telling the state the county does not support a plan floated last week that said the plan to rehabilitate the deck on the westbound span could be completed in one year if a second lane of westbound traffic could be closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays after 5 p.m.

On Thursday, state transportation officials put a cashless tolling policy in effect at the Bay Bridge toll plaza. Only the left toll lanes (lanes 1-6) will be open. Drivers who don't have an E-ZPass transponder will be billed at the cash rate.

KEEP MOVING at the Bay Bridge toll plaza. Cashless tolling in effect until 10pm. Only left toll lanes open (lanes 1-6). Motorists will be video tolled at the cash rate ($4 for 2-axle vehicles) if they do not have an E-ZPass transponder. Obey posted speed limits. #BayBridgeWork pic.twitter.com/7Y58isfRJm — MDTA (@TheMDTA) October 10, 2019

Moran said two-way traffic on Thursdays and Fridays had led to tractor-trailers, trucks and other kinds of equipment not allowed on the bridge during that time to park for hours on the side of Route 50 and Route 8. Moran said backups into his county at the bridge have stretched as long as 16 miles at times.

Commissioners agreed to hire an economist to figure out how to make up for the county's financial losses during the rehabilitation work and other bridge projects.

Earlier this week, Comptroller Peter Franchot asked officials to halt work during the fall and winter months and work with stakeholders who rely on the bridge.