The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) prepared this report in response to the budget bill language contained in the 2025 Joint Chairmen’s Report (JCR). The language states:
Add the following language to the special fund appropriation:
Provided that $500,000 of this appropriation made for the purpose of administrative expenses within The Secretary’s Office may not be expended until the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) submit a report to the budget committees on the assessment and actions that can be taken to reduce the vessel collision vulnerability of certain bridges in the State. The report shall include, if available by December 1, 2025, the findings of vulnerability assessments of the eastbound and westbound spans of the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge (Chesapeake Bay Bridge) and the Chesapeake City Bridge, and a discussion of the steps necessary for 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. In addition, the report shall include a discussion of the estimated costs and funding sources needed to conduct full vessel collision vulnerability assessments as well as the development and implementation of the comprehensive vessel collision risk reduction plans that comports with published American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials guidance. The report shall also include information on current measures being taken to reduce the vulnerability of the new Francis Scott Key Bridge. The report shall be submitted by December 1, 2025, and the budget committees shall have 45 days from the date of the receipt of the report to review and comment. Funds restricted pending the receipt of a report may not be transferred by budget amendment or otherwise to any other purpose and shall be canceled if the report is not submitted to the budget committees.
Introduction
The William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge (“Bay Bridge”) is in Queen Anne’s County and Anne Arundel County, Maryland, carrying US50/US301 across the Chesapeake Bay south of the Chester River between Sandy Point and Kent Island, Maryland. The southern or eastbound span was constructed in 1952 and the northern or westbound span was constructed in 1973. Both structures have an approximate 1,600-foot-long main span with a vertical navigation clearance of 185 feet through which commercial vessels transit. According to the U.S, Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) North Atlantic Division website, the Chesapeake City Bridge was built in 1948 connecting the two sides of the city. The bridge is located in Cecil County, Maryland and carries MD 213 across the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. The main span is 540-foot-long and the overall length of the bridge is 3,954 feet. The Chesapeake City Bridge is owned and maintained by the USACE and MDTA is not involved in the inspection, maintenance, or rehabilitation of the bridge. As such, an analysis of the Chesapeake City Bridge is not included in this report.
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