......Travel off-peak ... Thurs. before 2 p.m., Fri. before noon and after 10 p.m., Sat. before 7 a.m. and between 5 and 10 p.m., Sun. between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and after 10 p.m., Labor Day Monday before 11 a.m. and after 10 p.m. ... www.traffic.maryland.gov...
1-877-BAYSPAN ...for current bridge traffic conditions
Maryland Transportation Authority
Bay Bridge Preservation Project [Explore the Bridge]
BAY BRIDGE RE-DECKING REACHES FINAL MILESTONE
NOTE: This summer, other preservation/maintenance work and dismantling of the re-decking work zone will continue during scheduled off-peak daytime and overnight hours to minimize impacts.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) reports that crews successfully installed the last new deck segment of the Bay Bridge (US 50/301) Preservation Project on April 22, 2010. This marks the culmination of a long-term effort to extend the life of the bridge’s westbound span by re-decking the suspension-span and through-truss (where drivers see structural steel overhead) sections with 300 pre-cast concrete deck segments.
“This massive job has been completed successfully with the cooperation of commuters, neighboring communities, the citizen members of the Bay Bridge Reconstruction Advisory Group, contractors and the professional team at the MDTA,” said MDTA Chairman and Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley.
Temporary steel roadway plates, which are needed to reopen the bridge following overnight construction, were removed from westbound travel lanes on May 2.
“I cannot be more pleased with the results of this project,” said MDTA Executive Secretary Ronald L. Freeland. “The bridge opened late to rush-hour traffic one time in more than two-and-a-half years of re-decking construction. In upcoming weeks, crews will continue finishing work, including deck grinding and grooving that will smooth out the ride for our motorists.”
The Bay Bridge Preservation Project began in December 2006 and is targeted for completion this fall. The new, full-depth roadway deck segments -- 144 suspension span and 156 through-truss segments -- along with new railing and overhead lane signals, spot painting and electrical upgrades comprise the preservation project.
Click here for weekly scheduled lane closure information.
Supplemental Preservation Project Information
The following display boards provide supplemental information regarding the Bay Bridge Preservation Project:
Preparing for Deck Replacement
Deck Panel Demolition/Installation
Project Schedule/Stay Informed
Through-Truss Deck-Replacement
Below is a pictorial exhibit of what occurred during nightly through-truss span deck-replacement efforts.
First deck removal in westbound through truss
Torch cutting the steel railing and scrubbing clean the tops of the steel stringers
Close-up of concrete "crab" removing deck and stacking old deck pieces for transport off bridge
Specially designed trailer moves new deck into position and new deck is lowered into place
Deck Fabrication Off-Site = Less Disruption of Bridge Traffic
To keep bridge traffic moving as smoothly as possible, replacement concrete roadway panels ranging from 15 to 49 feet in length and weighing 43,000 to 90,000 pounds each were prefabricated off-site by American Bridge at Sparrows Point near Baltimore. In all, 144 Suspension and 156 Through Truss roadway panels were installed. The panels traveled by barge down the Chesapeake Bay and were transported by trucks onto the bridge for installation.
Below is a pictorial exhibit of the final work undertaken at the casting yard. The last concrete pour occurred on July 14, 2009.
The last pour and final concrete truck
Removing the final segments from the casting yard and getting ready to lift the panel onto the barge
Loading the panel onto the barge
Suspension Span Deck-Replacement
Below is a pictorial exhibit of what occured during nightly suspension span deck-replacement efforts.
New Railing Installation
Steel Cuts and Preparing for Demolition
Deck Demolition
Placement of new Deck Panel
Tightening New Deck Unit and Pouring Concrete Closure
Protecting the Environment
During all aspects of the project, processes were in place to protect the environment, including installation of shielding underneath the bridge to protect the Chesapeake Bay from construction debris.
Stay informed! For round-the-clock, real-time Bay Bridge traffic information, call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726).
Stay Informed and Be Safe
