The Maryland Transportation Authority Board on Thursday approved a plan to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from the ground up.
The proposed new bridge, which board members referred to as alternative C, would feature two four-lane bridge spans with full shoulders.
Plans call for construction to begin in 2032, with costs estimated at $15 billion to $17 billion.
“This recommendation is an exciting step that moves us closer to a Bay crossing that provides a smoother travel experience for those who drive over the bridge and the Marylanders who live by it,” Maryland’s acting Transportation Secretary Samantha Biddle said in a statement.
“Alternative C is the option that best supports Marylanders’ current and future daily travel needs with the least environmental impact on our treasured Chesapeake Bay,” she said.
The new bridge spans would be roughly 50 feet taller, making it the same height as the fixed Key Bridge being built in Baltimore.
Taller bridges let massive container ships pass underneath and access the Port of Baltimore.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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