William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge
(Chesapeake Bay Bridge)


The Chesapeake Bay Bridges, named for former Maryland governor William Preston Lane, are the only bridges crossing the bay. The original span opened in 1952, and now serves eastbound traffic. The newer westbound span opened in 1973. The span currently carries a $2.50 toll for passenger vehicles... payable only for eastbound travelers. The toll plaza was recently reconstructed to better allow for E-ZPass and M-TAG customers.

Westbound Span

	Approaching the westbound span. Both spans have reversible lanes, and use changeable lane signals. A total of 5 lanes cross the Chesapeake.
	Continuing to approach the westbound span. Since it's a construction zone... a 45 MPH speed limit is imposed... even though the normal limit on the bridge is 45 MPH. I'm not exactly sure who was going the 58 MPH the radar readout is displaying... probably the person behind me. :-)
	Beginning of the westbound span, approaching the steel truss portion.
	Riding through the steel truss section. The newer span uses a span with a nice sweeping curve of the steel, while the older span uses an older box style.
	Approaching the suspension portion of the bridge. The middle pic shows the new emergency call boxes that were recently installed on the bridge.
	Driving through the suspension portion of the bridge. Just my personal opinion... I prefer the tower style on the older span. The diamond pattern is more visually appealing than the plainer style of the newer span.
	Driving over the newly reconstructed bridge deck.
	Driving the sweeping curve just past the suspension portion of the bridge, and approaching the "Western Shore" of Maryland.
	The bridge straightens out on it approach to the Western Shore. The original span is really close here... as well as the original ferry docks.
	Leaving the bridge, and and finishing the crossing of the Chesapeake Bay.
	The toll plaza. This also ends US 50's and US 301's trek on the Delmarva Peninsula. US 50 will continue west to Sacramento, CA. US 301 will continue south to Sarasota, FL.

Eastbound Span
Special thanks to Adam Prince for these photos!

	A view of the suspension towers of both spans.
	The "curve".
	Another view of the suspension towers.
	Approaching the suspension portion of the eastbound span.
	Driving through the suspension portion of the original 1952 span.
	Peeking through the steel trusses... to see the suspension portion of the westbound span.
	Peeking through the steel trusses... to see one of the suspension towers of the eastbound span.
	Continuing eastbound.
	A view of the westbound span's curved steel truss.
	A shot of the steel truss sections of both spans.
	Approaching the truss span portion of the eastbound span.
	Driving through the westbound span's steel truss.
	A look at the landing of both bridges.
	Continuing eastbound... approaching the Delmarva peninsula.

For more information on the Bay Bridge:
Chesapeake Bay Bridge on Roads To The Future

All Photos (unless otherwise credited) taken April 5, 2004 by Corey Dukes