2/25/00 UPDATE: Click here for 2000 Bay Bridge Walk Information

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) is encouraging participants to arrive early to be a part of history as the agency celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Walk and hosts the final walk of the 20th Century on Sunday, May 2, beginning at 9 a.m.

"We are pleased to host this event each year and once again give Maryland citizens and visitors a unique, breathtaking view of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Transportation Secretary and Authority Chairman John D. Porcari. “This year’s event will be especially memorable as we celebrate the silver anniversary of the walk and the last one of this century.” The 4.3-mile walk draws 40,000 to 60,000 people annually.

Buses will begin boarding at 8:30 a.m. from three designated parking areas only:

• Naval-Marine Corps Stadium (serving Washington, D.C., Southern Maryland and Northern Virginia participants);

• Anne Arundel Community College (most convenient for those traveling from the Baltimore metro area);

• and the Chesapeake Business Park (best for those traveling from the Eastern Shore or Delaware).

There are no other parking areas available for the event. No parking will be available at the Bay Bridge or at Sandy Point State Park. A $1.00 donation is requested for participants age six and older to help defray the cost of the buses. Many of the buses, which are equipped with wheelchair lifts, will continue to run until all parking areas are filled. No walkers will be transported to the bridge after the lots are filled.

"We are advising participants to arrive before 11 a.m.," said ThomasL. Osborne, executive secretary of the Authority. "Even if parking should remain open after noon, which is unlikely, we cannot admit walkers to the bridge after 1 p.m."

Motorists traveling to and from the Eastern Shore on May 2 WILL EXPERIENCE MAJOR TRAFFIC DELAYS AND CONGESTION near the bridge until 7:30 p.m. The eastbound span will be closed at 5 a.m. to allow workers to prepare for the walk. To accommodate eastbound traffic, the bridge’s westbound span will be in two-way operation during the day. The eastbound bridge will re-open by 7 p.m. Authority officials advise motorists to carpool and to allow adequate travel time to reach their destinations.

Drinking water and portable restroom facilities will be available on the bridge, along with Transportation Authority Police officers, who will be stationed to render assistance to walkers. In the interest of safety, running or jogging will be prohibited, along with pets, bicycles, skates, rollerblades and skateboards. Children in strollers and participants in wheelchairs are welcome.

The walk will be canceled for inclement weather or high winds. Cancellation announcements will be made on local radio stations. Prospective walkers can learn more about the event or discover the status of the walk by calling the Bay Bridge Information Line (a new number) at 1-888-288-1560 or visiting the Authority’s website at www.mdta.state.md.us.

Fact Sheet

Sunday, May 2, 1999
25th Annual Chesapeake Bay Bridge Walk
Event Information

WHAT:
25th Annual Bay Bridge Walk, sponsored by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) (the first Bridge Walk was held in April 1975). The eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge will be closed to traffic and opened to pedestrians to enjoy a walk across the bridge. Two-way traffic will operate on the westbound span from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists using the Bay Bridge will experience delays throughout the day and into the evening.

WHEN:
The walk starts at 9 a.m. Shuttles begin boarding at 8:30 a.m. from designated parking locations. Please plan to carpool and arrive early. In prior years, parking lots have filled before 11 a.m. Once the three parking areas are full, there will be no access to the bridge.

HOW:
Those who wish to participate must go to one of three designated parking locations listed below. From the parking areas, walkers will be taken to the Eastern Shore side of the bridge via Mass Transit Administration (MTA) buses. Walkers travel from east to west(toward the toll plaza). After finishing the walk, participants board MTA buses to return to the parking lots. Individuals with disabilities are invited to participate, as many of the MTA buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

PARKING:
The three parking locations are:

• NAVAL-MARINE CORPS STADIUM -- Rowe Boulevard (MD 70 off of US 50) in Annapolis. This parking area is most convenient for participants coming from Washington, D.C., Southern Maryland or Northern Virginia. USE EXIT 24 OFF OF US 50.

• ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE -- College Parkway just east of Ritchie Highway (MD 2), about 9 miles south of the Marley Station Mall. Best for participants coming from the Baltimore-metro area.

• CHESAPEAKE BAY BUSINESS PARK -- On the Eastern Shore at the intersections of Routes 8 and 18, just off of US 50, about 1.7 miles east of the Bay Bridge. Most convenient lot for participants coming from the Eastern Shore or Delaware.

There is no other parking available for the walk.

COST:
There is a $1 donation required from participants age six and older to help defray the cost of the MTA buses.

HOW FAR IS THE WALK?
The eastbound span of the Bay Bridge is 4.3-miles long, shore-to-shore. Total distance of the walk is a little more than 4.5 miles. Most walkers complete the event in two hours. Note: Walkers should wear comfortable clothing, keeping in mind that it is always more breezy and cool on the bridge than inland.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Drinking water and portable restroom facilities (ADA accessible) will be available along the bridge. Maryland Transportation Authority Police officers will be stationed at intervals on the span to render assistance to walkers. If a participant is unable to complete the walk,he or she should approach a police officer for help. In addition, if parents become separated from their children, they should alert a police officer.

PROHIBITIONS:
For the safety of all walkers, jogging, running, pets, bikes, boom boxes, roller skates/blades and skateboards are prohibited.

Strollers or small wagons to carry children are permitted. Individuals in wheelchairs are welcome to participate.

INCLEMENT WEATHER:
The walk will be canceled in the event of rain or high winds. A decision to cancel the event will be made at 6 a.m. event day. We will advise local radio stations of the cancellation. You also may call 1-888-288-1560 anytime after 6:30 a.m. to learn the status of the walk. If the event is canceled, it will not be rescheduled for this year.