MEMORANDUM
TO:
MDTA Board
FROM:
Chief Engineer, James Harkness, PE, PTOE
SUBJECT:
Joint Chairmen’s Report (JCR) on Assessments and Actions to Reduce Vessel Collision Vulnerability
DATE:
January 29, 2026
PURPOSE OF MEMORANDUM To update the MDTA Board on the response to the Joint Chairmen’s Report (JCR) which requested assessment and actions that can be taken to reduce the vessel collision vulnerability of certain bridges in the State BACKGROUND During the 2025 Legislative Session, committee narrative was adopted by the budget committees that required the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) to prepare a JCR that includes the findings of vulnerability assessments of the eastbound and westbound spans of the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge (Chesapeake Bay Bridge), and a discussion of the steps necessary for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and MDTA to develop and implement comprehensive risk reduction plans for these bridges to reduce the likelihood of a bridge collapse in the case of a vessel collision. The report includes a discussion of the estimated costs and funding sources needed to conduct the development and implementation of the comprehensive vessel collision risk reduction plans. SUMMARY The MDTA has conducted the industry-standard AASHTO vessel collision risk assessment for the evaluation of vessel collision risk for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The findings from the vessel collision study are contributing to the comprehensive analysis of safety risks associated with the regional highway network and the safe navigation of vessels under and near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. MDTA has implemented short-term risk reduction plans, while at the same time rapidly advancing the pier projection and studying the replacement of the existing Chesapeake Bay Bridge spans as part of the MDTA Bay Crossing Study. ATTACHMENT • Joint Chairmen’s Report - Assessments and Actions to Reduce Vessel Collision Vulnerability
2310 Broening Highway • Baltimore, MD 21224 • mdta@mdta.maryland.gov • 410.537.1000 • 711 (MD Relay) • mdta.maryland.gov • DriveEzMD.com
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