As summer comes to an unofficial close, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) reminds the more than 2.4 million motorists anticipated to travel its bridges, tunnels and roadways over the Labor Day holiday weekend to plan ahead, travel off-peak and put safety first. This total represents a 1% increase in traffic volumes compared to last year.
MDTA officials anticipate the following number of vehicles to travel its toll facilities between Friday, Aug. 30, and Monday, Sept. 2:
- William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge (US 50/301) – more than 440,000.
- John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95) – more than 675,000.
- Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95, I-395) – more than 690,000.
- Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695) – more than 230,000.
An additional 400,000 vehicles are projected to travel the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40) and the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (US 301) combined. All totals represent traffic in both directions.
The MDTA offers the following travel tips for this holiday weekend:
Travel off-peak when heading to and from the Eastern Shore. The best times to travel the Bay Bridge this weekend include:
- Thursday – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
- Friday – before 7 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
- Saturday – before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
- Sunday – before 8 a.m. and after midnight
- Labor Day Monday – before 10 a.m. and after midnight
Need to rest or fuel up? Stop by the Maryland or Chesapeake House travel plazas along I-95 in northeast Maryland.
Keeping traffic moving as safely and efficiently as possible is the MDTA’s priority. The MDTA Police will remain vigilant and target dangerous drivers, seatbelt violations and criminal activity with additional patrols at Maryland toll facilities.
Sober drivers save lives! The MDTA Police and Vehicle Recovery Units will have additional patrols on duty to respond quickly to incidents and disabled vehicles during the holiday weekend.
In addition, the MDTA will lift construction-related temporary lane closures on its roadways from 5 a.m. Friday, August 30, to 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 3.
Construction Reminder: I-895 Bridge Project currently features two-way traffic on I-895 north of the Harbor Tunnel. One lane is open in each direction, separated by barrier. Motorists should use I-695/Key Bridge and I-95/Fort McHenry Tunnel as alternate routes.
For more I-95 travel info, visit www.i95exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida!
Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide, I-10 Exit Guide and I-75 Exit Guide.
