Chesapeake Bay Bridge Traffic Overhaul Clears Major Hurdle: What To Expect Next

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — A multibillion-dollar initiative to improve the Chesapeake Bay Bridge has reached a pivotal moment after authorities secured the final environmental approval for a crossing study.

The Maryland Transportation Authority said Thursday that the newly approved plan would make travel safer and more reliable while reducing environmental impacts.

The approved construction plans call for officials to build two new four-lane bridge spans with full shoulders, widen U.S. 50/301 to eight lanes from west of Oceanic Drive to east of Cox Creek, and establish a 230-foot navigational clearance to allow larger ships to transit.

Authorities said the plans also allow for the possible future establishment of bike and pedestrian paths along the bridge. State estimates put the cost of shared-use paths at just over $1 billion.

"The approved crossing aligns with MDOT’s goals of enhancing safety, reliability and accessibility for Marylanders while delivering economic value for nearby communities and the entire state," Katie Thomson, who serves as the MDTA chair and secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, said in a statement.

The transportation authority expects the design phase to begin in 2028, with construction starting by 2032. Estimated project costs range from $12 billion to nearly $18 billion.

An economic analysis suggests the new, improved bridge will add $23 billion to the local economy and create more than 60,000 jobs, according to MDTA.

The approved study, known as Alternative C, was the least costly of the possible designs.