The Bay Bridge - Gateway from Annapolis to the Eastern Shore

The Bay Bridge - Gateway from Annapolis to the Eastern Shore

The William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge is the gateway route identified as US-50 and MD-301 from points West including Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Washington DC, and Virginia to reach the Eastern Shore and Atlantic Ocean beaches along the Maryland and Delaware coasts.

Operated by the Maryland Transportation Authority, the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge is actually two bridges in one.  There is an East-bound two lane bridge and a West-bound three lane bridge.  During peak travel times the single lane on the Southern (right hand lane) side of the West-bound bridge is opened for East-bound travel.  Typically this lane is open for the evening commute across the bridge and from time-to-time when maintenance and other reasons necessitate a closing of one of the lanes on the East-bound bridge.

If you have an E-ZPass you can shorten your time to pass the toll which is only charged to East-bound travelers.  Although considered a "round trip", the cost is currently $2.50 for two-axle vehicles and goes up from there.  If you're a regular commuter across the bridge, then you should be enrolled for a commuter discount that reduces your round trip fee to $1.00.  Current toll rates are posted on the Maryland Transportation Authority website.

Proposed Toll Increase Coming Soon

There's a proposed toll increase coming soon to the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge.  On June 2nd, the Maryland Transportation Authority posted a notice of phased in toll increases in 2011, 2012 and 2013.  There's a sixty-day period of public comment with open meetings to be held in various locations throughout Maryland.  The most recent public hearing was held on June 15, 2011 in Stevensville, Maryland.

The Maryland Transportation Authority proposes to increase the tolls for passenger cars on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from $2.50 to $5 starting October 1, 2011.  And, to keep increasing it until it reaches $8 in July of 2013.  Commuters on the E-ZPass discount plan would see a $0.50 increase from $1.00 per East-bound trip to $1.50 per trip across the bay.  Other Maryland Transportation Authority operated toll roads are slated for increases as well including the Harbor Tunnel, the Fort McHenry Tunnel and the Key Bridge.

Information on the proposed toll increases by the Maryland Transportation Authority can be found in their Notice for Public Comment Handout.  The handout includes the dates and locations for public hearings.  It states that the public may submit comments for the official record by 5 p.m. on August 1, 2011, by visiting www.mdta.maryland.gov; writing to MDTA Toll Comment, 2310 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD, 21224; or attending one of the public hearings.

If you are interested in buying or renting a home in Annapolis, Maryland or the surrounding area and want to tour any property currently on the market, or if you have a home to sell or rent in Annapolis, Maryland and want a professional consultation on current market conditions, please contact me at 410-923-3217 or e-mail me at showell@cbmove.com or visit my website at LiveInAnnapolis.com.

    
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Stephen Howell came to Annapolis to sail the Bay in 1994. What he discovered was a whole new lifestyle. Ever since Stephen Howell has been successfully helping others make the most of Annapolis. You'll find that with the right professional by your side, you can Live the Lifestyle and Live in Annapolis.

Stephen Howell and Rocky (his lab-mix from the SPCA of Anne Arundel County in Annapolis) live on the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, Maryland. He works in the Annapolis real estate market. His website lets people search the Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area MLS. Buyers can also search for waterfront homes along the Chesapeake Bay. His website has current real estate data on Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and Maryland.