During that period, while the center lane of the bridge is closed for repairs, trucks with wide loads will be restricted and there will be a lane on the Route 50 approach to the westbound bridge dedicated solely to traffic coming from Route 8. 

"And there's going to be a focus group on Kent Island that will provide us with immediate feedback and let us know whether anything needs to be tweaked," said Bay Bridge Administrator Sharon Lechowicz.

The changes grew out of problems experienced last year when traffic backups occurred on Kent Island because of the closing of the center lane on the westbound bridge for construction work. There were incidents in which trucks with wide loads had difficulty passing between the jersey barriers set up on the bridge and caused backups.

"We had some big-time backups that really affected the quality of life around here," said Jack Broderick, president of the Kent Island Civic Confederation. "In some cases, it took two hours or more for people over here to get to work."

Complaints from local commuters to bridge officials resulted in a series of meetings between the KICC and the Maryland Transportation Authority, which operates the bridge. At the most recent session, Sept. 16, the authority outlined its plans for minimizing the problems during this fall's construction work on the center lane, which will be closed from Oct. 14 through Nov. 27.

"Nothing in excess of 10 feet in width will be allowed on the westbound bridge during the construction period. Those trucks will be told when they apply for the SHA (State Highway Administration) wide-load permit and will have to go up and around on I-95," explained Lechowicz. "There will also be a new kind of barrier that's safer for trucks."

In addition, the right-hand lane of westbound Route 50 will be closed prior to the Route 8 overpass to allow exclusive use of it by traffic headed for the bridge from Route 8. That traffic will be funneled into the right hand lane on the westbound bridge while the remainder of Route 50 traffic will use the left hand lane of the westbound bridge and the right hand lane of the eastbound bridge. That will leave a single lane eastbound during the morning rush hour.

Lechowicz says that in the past, some motorists have attempted to get around westbound backups by getting off at the Route 8 ramp, going to the light at the top and then continuing back onto Route 50 on the other side of the ramp. "That won't be allowed this time around and there will be a stepped-up police presence to make sure it doesn't," she said.

These new patterns will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday beginning Oct. 14. Between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. each morning, workers will move the orange and white barrels to set up the new patterns. 

Another change will take place on the westbound span where the bridge curves to the right down toward the western shore. When the center lane is closed, many motorists who normally use it find themselves in the left lane and are bothered by the curve, according to the authority. "Some say they get the feeling like they're headed for the water," Lechowicz said.

The answer to that, she explained, is the installation of an opaque mesh fabric that will be located above the left hand rail for a distance of 5,000 to 10,000 feet wherever there is a jersey barrier.

"This is a great example of government listening to the people," said Broderick. "The group was really impressed. How refreshing it was." He was particularly gratified that local residents will be asked for their input through the focus group.

Motorists can obtain more information on these morning rush hour changes by logging onto www.mdtransportationauthority.com and clicking on the button marked Bay Bridge Traffic Information. 
 
©The Star Democrat 2002