How Safe is the Bay Bridge?

After the collapse of the Interstate 5 bridge in the state of Washington, Maryland commuters and beach goers are posed with a question: How safe is it to cross the Bay Bridge?

Late last month, a bridge crossing the Skagit River in Washington state collapsed.  The failure resulted in two vehicles plummeting into the water, requiring the rescue of three people.  Currently, authorities claim that an oversized truck that exceeded the height restriction hit one of the bridge’s overhead girders.  Detectives working with the National Transportation Safety Board are still investigating the incident.

How can a similar failure be prevented on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge?  Tamory Winfield with the Maryland Transportation Authority states that the department is already doing all it can to prevent such a failure.

“We take the proactive measures necessary to preserve the Bay Bridge and keep it well maintained and in good repair.”

Annually, the MDTA inspects the bridge through engineering firms.  In compliance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards, an examination must assess the deck, superstructure (including supports such as beams and girders), and the substructure (including piers).

“The MDTA’s inspection program exceeds federal standards,” said Winfield, and that it is “at the forefront of nationwide inspection programs.”

According to the 2012 Annual Report, the 39-year-old eastbound bridge scored a rating of five, six, and six, respectively, out of nine.  The 60-year-old westbound bridge scored sixes across the board.  A “five” is considered “fair,” while a “six” is satisfactory.

Last fall, a project to rewrap the Bay Bridge’s suspension cables, as well as install a dehumidification system began.  This system will inject dry air into the cables, which will prevent moisture.

On an average workday in 2012, over 36,000 vehicles crossed the 4.2-mile long Bay Bridge in one direction.  However, that number can be over 50,000 on a summer weekend day.  Last year, 28.1 million vehicles crossed the bridge, which is over 2 million more than in 2005.

With the continuing traffic increases, the MDTA began a new study last month to determine the necessity of adding a third bridge.  After a similar report’s completion during his time in office, Governor Bob Ehrlich stated an addition would not be completed for at least two decades.

In response to the I-5 bridge collapse, Winfield stated that the MDTA would follow the NTSB’s investigation.  “The Bay Bridge is safe.  Safety is the MDTA’s top priority.”

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