MEMORANDUM
TO:
MDTA Board
FROM:
Director of Planning & Program Development, Melisa Williams
SUBJECT:
Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 2 NEPA Decision: MDTA’s Recommended Preferred Alternative
DATE:
December 18, 2025
PURPOSE OF MEMORANDUM The purpose of the memorandum is to seek your approval of Alternative C as MDTA’s Recommended Preferred Alternative for the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 2 NEPA and proceed with public hearings in early February 2026. SUMMARY The Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 2 NEPA (Tier 2 Study) is a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study underway by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA). The purpose of the Tier 2 Study is to address existing and future transportation capacity needs and access across the Chesapeake Bay and at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge approaches along the U.S. 50/301 corridor. The Tier 2 Study is evaluating measures to reduce congestion; improve travel times and reliability, mobility, and roadway deficiencies; and accommodate maintenance activities and navigation. The Tier 2 Study is also considering objectives for environmental responsibility, as well as cost and financial responsibility. This memorandum outlines the Maryland Transportation Authority’s (MDTA’s) Recommended Preferred Alternative (MDTA-RPA), Alternative C, for the Tier 2 Study. This alternative maintains the six existing lanes on the Western Shore, increases capacity to eight lanes across the Bay, and maintains the six existing lanes on the Eastern Shore. Alternative C includes a southern bridge location, with one new span located just south of the existing Bay Bridge spans and one span between the existing spans. The existing spans would be removed. It also includes transit-
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