The Chesapeake Bay Bridge spans the Chesapeake Bay between Sandy Point and Stevensville, Maryland. It connects eastern Maryland with Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The bridge is officially named the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge after the 52nd governor of Maryland. The bridge consists of two spans. The first was completed in 1952 and the second in 1973. Prior to the bridge's construction, a ferry crossed the Bay here.
Construction Timeline
- 1919: Regular ferry service established Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1919: Talk of double-decker bridge for trolleys and trains Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1927: Plans developed and funds raised Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1929: Stock market crash halted bridge plans Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1930's: Several commissions appointed to plan bridge, but didn't receive federal aid Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1939: Legislation passed approving construction of bridge Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1939-1945: World War II slows plans for the bridge Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1949: Construction began on first spanMaryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1950: Underwater construction beganMaryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1952: Construction completedMaryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1967: Dedicated to William Preston Lane, Jr. Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1967: Additional span planned Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1969: Construction began on second span Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
- 1973: Construction completed Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Named the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge
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Fact:
Owned by the Maryland Transportation Authority
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Length
4.3 miles
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Height
354 ft eastbound, 379 ft westbound
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Part of US 50/301
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First part built in 1952, now east bound lanes
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Fact:
World's largest continuous over-water steel structure when built
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Second part built in 1973, now west bound lanes
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Fact:
Toll for regular vehicle is $2.50
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Fact:
About 27 million vehicles crossed the bridge in 2007Maryland Transportation Authority Bay Bridge: Facility Fact Sheet (May 2008)
