Travel

Bay Bridge Reopens After 3-Hour Tropical Storm Isaias Shutdown

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge reopened in both directions after strong winds from Tropical Storm Isaias temporarily closed the crossing.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge could face travel restrictions throughout Tuesday as Tropical Storm Isaias hits Maryland.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge could face travel restrictions throughout Tuesday as Tropical Storm Isaias hits Maryland. (Elizabeth Janney/Patch)

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Traveling on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was a little dicey as Tropical Storm Isaias hit Maryland. Strong winds closed both spans of the bridge for about three hours Tuesday morning.

The bridge closed around 9:30 a.m. and reopened around 12:15 p.m. The Maryland Transportation Authority continues to warn that its crossings, including the Bay Bridge, could shut down at a moment's notice throughout the day.

Officials say they will try to keep bridges open as long as possible, but temporary shutdowns are still possible. The Transportation Authority reminds travelers that it makes its weather decisions based on live winds speeds, not forecasts, at the Bay Bridge.

Find out what's happening in Annapoliswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Travelers should drive keep both hands on their steering wheel and drive slowly. Speed limits are based on normal weather conditions, not hazardous ones.

Winds must reach at least 39 mph for a system to be considered a tropical storm. Sustained winds of 74 mph or more draw a hurricane categorization. Weather officials said Isaias packed maximum sustained winds near 60 mph as of 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Annapoliswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There is an 99 percent chance that Annapolis experiences tropical storm force winds by midnight. Forecasters don't expect winds to top 50 knots, or 58 mph, before then.

Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to dump 3 to 6 inches of rain across the region. Rainfall is expected to be heaviest along and east of the Interstate 95 corridor.

Anne Arundel County currently faces a coastal flood warning, as storm surges could bring 1 to 2 feet of flooding along shorelines. The county is also under a flash flood warning through this evening.

Here's when the wind speeds would trigger travel restrictions on the Bay Bridge:

Wind Warnings:

  • Sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph for a continuous period of 10 minutes or more.
  • Wind gusts persistently exceed 30 mph over a period of 15 minutes.
  • Operators of house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds are advised to use caution while traveling across the bridge.

Limited Wind Restrictions:

  • Sustained winds of 40 to 49 mph for a continuous period of 10 minutes or more.
  • Wind gusts persistently exceed 40 mph over a period of 15 minutes.
  • House trailers, empty box trailers or any vehicle that, in the opinion of law enforcement personnel, may not safely cross the bridge will be prohibited from traveling the bridge.
  • Motorists who are denied passage will be assisted with safely turning around.

Full Wind Restrictions:

  • Sustained winds exceeding 50 mph for a continuous period of 10 minutes or more.
  • Wind gusts persistently exceeding 50 mph over a period of 15 minutes.
  • Only automobiles, pickup trucks, flatbed trailers, commercial buses and heavy-laden tractor/trailers are permitted to cross the bridge.
  • Tractor-box trailer combinations will not be permitted to cross any bridge if the gross weight is less than 64,000 pounds.

Traffic Holds/Bridge Closure:

  • Sustained winds exceeding 55 mph for a continuous period of 10 minutes or more.
  • Wind gusts persistently exceeding 55 mph over a period of 15 minutes.
  • In the event of a sudden increase of sustained wind speeds or wind gusts that could jeopardize life or property, the MDTA may elect to discontinue the movement of all traffic across the bridge.

Here's how to check on traffic and delays:

  • Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (877-229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions. This number is currently providing out-of-date information. Any pressing travel updates will be posted on the MDTA's Twitter.
  • Visit baybridge.com to view traffic cameras and to sign up for email alerts.
  • Follow the MDTA on social media at 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 or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information. When you call 511, just say "Reach the Beach." The free phone call can eliminate some of the hassle of your road trip.
  • To sign up for email/text alerts or view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov.

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Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.


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