Wrap Up Summer Safely: MDTA Labor Day Weekend Travel Tips

Wrap Up Summer Safely: MDTA Labor Day Weekend Travel Tips

Best Times to Travel Across the Bay Bridge

Know Your Toll Payment Options

Never drive distracted

The Labor Day holiday period marks the unofficial end of the summer travel season. Maryland’s toll facilities are expected to see increased traffic over the holiday period, especially the Chesapeake Bay Bridge as motorists travel between the Eastern and Western shores. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) reminds motorists to prioritize safe driving and help ensure everyone reaches their destination safely. To help motorists plan ahead and avoid peak traffic, MDTA is sharing recommended times to cross the Bay Bridge, along with important travel safety information.

For motorists traveling in and around the Baltimore metropolitan area, please note that the southeast section of the I-695 Beltway is closed at MD 173 (Exit 1) on the Outer Loop and at Broening Highway (Exit 44) on the Inner Loop. For more information, visit https://mdta.maryland.gov/HarborCrossings. Drivers may consider the I-95 Express Toll Lanes in their travels between Baltimore and Harford counties, which feature northbound lanes to Mountain Road (MD 152). Toll rates are available at https://mdta.maryland.gov/TollRatesTables. As a reminder, highway work zones throughout the region may have no shoulders and/or narrow lanes. For the safety of motorists and workers, the MDTA urges drivers to slow down, stay focused and remain alert when traveling through or near work zones.

BAY BRIDGE TRAVEL

More than 345,000 vehicles will cross the Bay Bridge between Friday, September 4, and Labor Day Monday, September 7. Motorists should stay on US 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents.

The best times to travel across the Bay Bridge this holiday period include:

Eastbound
- Thursday, September 3 – before 11 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
- Friday, September 4 – before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
- Saturday, September 5 – before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Sunday, September 6 – before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
- Labor Day, Monday, September 7 – all day
Westbound
- Thursday, September 3 – all day
- Friday, September 4 – all day
- Saturday, September 5 – before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Sunday, September 6 – before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
- Labor Day, Monday, September 7 – before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.

Weather and traffic permitting, two-way traffic operations will be implemented to help alleviate eastbound delays at the Bay Bridge. Two-way traffic operations may be limited based on westbound traffic volumes, as bridge officials strive to mitigate delays on both sides of the bridge. Two-way traffic operations are prohibited during bridge wind warnings/restrictions, fog/limited visibility, or times of precipitation, and may be prohibited during incidents.

Expect travel delays in both directions—often simultaneously—at the bridge and along the US 50 corridor during peak travel hours throughout the holiday travel period. The primary cause of congestion is traffic demand exceeding available lane capacity—not two-way traffic operations, timing, or traffic management.

Overhead lane signals apply to all travel lanes before, on, and after the bridge where lane signals are present.

Red X means lane is closed.

Ignoring lane-use control signals is a traffic violation. Police actively enforce these violations on the US 50 approaches and on the bridge. Commercial vehicles must travel across the Bay Bridge in the right lane.

For 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic information, visit Baybridge.com or call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726).

HOW TO PAY TOLLS IN MARYLAND

Maryland collects tolls through E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate, and Video Tolling. E-ZPass is the most cost-effective option, saving drivers up to 77% compared to the higher rates and reducing the paperwork that comes with Video Tolls. With Pay-By-Plate, tolls are automatically billed to the driver’s registered credit card as they use Maryland toll facilities, with no need for a transponder or pre-paid deposit. Pay-By-Plate rates are the same as the former cash rates. Learn more and enroll in E-ZPass or sign up for Pay-By-Plate at https://www.driveezmd.com/acct-types/.

If using a rental vehicle over the holiday, vehicle information can be added temporarily to an E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate account. Otherwise, askthe rental car company before traveling a route that includes a toll facility. Use the MDTA’s toll rate calculator to plan your driving routes and estimate the cost of tolls based on your vehicle at https://driveezmd.com/toll-rate-calculator/.

DriveEzMD Customer Service Centers will be closed on Saturday, September 5, and Monday, September 7. Visit DriveEzMD.com or go to the DriveEzMD app or Google Play Store to download the DriveEzMD app. The automated system at 1-888-321-6824 is available 24/7 for account maintenance or payments.

SAFETY REMINDERS

Drivers should allow extra time to get to their destinations. Speeding equals less time to react and increases the severity of a crash. Set your GPS before you begin your trip to help reduce distractions while driving. Distracted driving puts you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road at serious risk. In Maryland, motorists must Move Over for all stopped vehicles displaying any caution signals or warning lights when approaching from the rear. Slow down if you cannot safely move over into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the stopped vehicle.

The MDTA Police and Emergency Response Units will have additional patrols on duty to respond quickly to incidents and disabled vehicles during the holiday period. If your vehicle breaks down, exit the roadway. If that isn’t possible, remain inside your vehicle and call #77 for assistance. For emergencies, please dial 911.

The MDTA Police remind drivers that it is never acceptable to drive while impaired by alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or illegal substances. Impaired driving endangers your life and others. During the holidays, law enforcement officers will remain vigilant and target dangerous driving, seat belt violations, and criminal activity. To report aggressive or dangerous driving on Maryland toll roads, call MDTA Police Dispatch at 410-537-7911.

Travelers also are reminded to pay attention to their surroundings and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. If you see something, say something. If there is an emergency, call MDTA Police Dispatch or dial 911.

For real-time updates on major incidents on Maryland toll roads, follow us on X at https://x.com/TheMDTA.

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