THANKSGIVING TRAVEL ON MARYLAND TOLL ROADS

THANKSGIVING TRAVEL ON MARYLAND TOLL ROADS 

Plan early, journey simple!

Thanksgiving week stays one of many busiest journey occasions of the yr. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) provides drivers recommended drive occasions for Maryland toll services and reminders to ease into the vacation season. MDTA is critical about everybody’s security and dedicated to serving to all vacationers arrive safely at their vacation spot. Plan, pack your persistence, and assume security first. 

In Baltimore, the southeast part of I-695 stays closed at MD 173 (Exit 1) on the Outer Loop and at MD 151/North Point Boulevard (Exit 42) on the Inner Loop. For extra info, go to https://mdta.maryland.gov/HarborCrossings. Drivers could think about the I-95 Express Toll Lanes of their travels between Baltimore and Harford counties, which options northbound lanes to Mountain Road (MD 152). Toll charges will be discovered at https://mdta.maryland.gov/TollRatesTables. 

Motorists could encounter freeway work zones. Safety stays paramount in freeway work zones, which frequently have restricted shoulders, slim lanes, or different potential hazards. When touring via or close to these areas, cut back your velocity, keep alert, and comply with all posted indicators and alerts.

The MDTA supplies the next recommended journey occasions for its main routes in the course of the vacation interval. 

RECOMMENDED TIMES TO DRIVE

Bay Bridge journey occasions to keep away from probably the most congested intervals are:

• Tuesday, November 25 – earlier than 1 p.m. and after 8 p.m.;
• Wednesday, November 26 – earlier than 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m.;
• Thursday, November 27 – earlier than 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m.;
• Friday, November 28 – earlier than 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.;
• Saturday, November 29 – earlier than 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.; and
• Sunday, November 30 – earlier than 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Weather and site visitors allowing, two-way operations will likely be applied to assist ease eastbound delays on the Bay Bridge. Two-way operations could also be restricted based mostly on westbound site visitors volumes, as bridge officers attempt to mitigate delays on either side of the bridge. Two-way operations are prohibited throughout bridge wind warnings/restrictions, fog/restricted visibility, or occasions of precipitation, and could also be prohibited throughout incidents.

For 24/7 Bay Bridge site visitors info, name 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or go to Baybridge.com.

I-95 (JFK Memorial Highway and Fort McHenry Tunnel) finest occasions to journey embody:

• Tuesday, November 25 – earlier than midday and after 10 p.m.;
• Wednesday, November 26 – earlier than 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.;
• Thursday, November 27 – earlier than 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m.;
• Friday, November 28 – earlier than 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.;
• Saturday, November 29– earlier than 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.; and
• Sunday, November 30 – earlier than 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.

The I-95 journey plazas – Chesapeake House in Cecil County at mile marker 97 and Maryland House in Harford County at mile marker 82 – are open 24/7 with meals, indoor/outside seating, gas, and electrical car charging stations out there. It Can Wait! Rest areas are designated as protected zones for texts. 

Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301) recommended drive occasions embody:

• Wednesday, November 26 – earlier than 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.; and
• Sunday, November 30 – earlier than midday and after 6 p.m.

HOW TO PAY TOLLS IN MARYLAND

Tolls in Maryland are collected via E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate, and Video Tolling. E-ZPass is probably the most cost-effective, saving drivers as much as 77% in comparison with the upper charges and lowering the paperwork that comes with Video Tolls. With Pay-By-Plate, tolls are routinely billed to the driving force’s registered bank card as they use Maryland toll services, without having for a transponder or pre-paid deposit. Pay-By-Plate charges are the identical as the previous money charges. Learn extra and enroll in E-ZPass or join Pay-By-Plate at https://www.driveezmd.com/acct-types/. 

If utilizing a rental car over the vacation, car info will be added quickly to an E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate account. Otherwise, you’ll want to inquire with the rental automotive firm earlier than touring a route that features a toll facility. Use the MDTA’s toll fee calculator to plan your driving routes and estimate the price of tolls based mostly in your car at https://driveezmd.com/toll-rate-calculator/. 

DriveEzMD Customer Service Centers will likely be closed on Thursday, November 27. Visit DriveEzMD.com or go to the cell App or Google Play Store to obtain the DriveEzMD app. The automated system at 1-888-321-6824 is on the market 24/7 for account upkeep or funds.

SAFETY REMINDERS

Drivers ought to enable further time to get to their locations. Speeding equals much less time to react and will increase the severity of a crash. To decrease distractions whereas driving, all the time arrange your GPS earlier than you begin your journey whenever you want instructions. Driving whereas distracted is extraordinarily harmful for you, your passengers, and different roadway customers. In Maryland, motorists should Move Over for all stopped autos displaying any warning alerts or warning lights when approaching from the rear. Slow down in case you can not safely transfer over into an out there lane not instantly adjoining to the stopped car.

The MDTA Police and Emergency Response Units can have extra patrols on responsibility to reply rapidly to incidents and disabled autos in the course of the vacation interval. If your car breaks down, exit the roadway. If that isn’t doable, stay inside your car and name #77 for help. For emergencies, please dial 911.

The MDTA Police remind drivers that it’s by no means acceptable to drive whereas impaired by alcohol, pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, or unlawful substances. Impaired driving endangers your life and others. During the vacations, legislation enforcement officers will stay vigilant and goal harmful driving, seat belt violations, and prison exercise. To report aggressive or harmful driving on Maryland toll roads, name MDTA Police Dispatch at 410-537-7911. 

Travelers are also reminded to concentrate to their environment and report suspicious exercise to legislation enforcement. If you see one thing, say one thing. If there may be an emergency, name MDTA Police Dispatch or dial 911.

For real-time updates on main incidents on Maryland toll roads, comply with us on X at https://x.com/TheMDTA. 

The MDTA needs everybody protected travels this vacation season.

 

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