Maryland Officials Announce Public Hearings for Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study, Detail Preferred Alternative

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has announced a series of public hearings in February 2026 to gather feedback on the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study’s Tier 2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. These hearings will focus on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the MDTA’s recently announced Recommended Preferred Alternative, known as Alternative C. The public will have an opportunity to review the proposed project, examine the environmental impacts assessed, and submit comments and testimony. Following the public and agency review period, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is anticipated to release a combined Final EIS and Record of Decision in the fall of 2026.

The public hearings, scheduled to take place virtually and in person, are designed to inform the public about the alternatives considered and their potential environmental consequences. Attendees will learn about the MDTA’s preferred option and can provide their input. The Draft EIS and related materials are accessible online through the project website, baycrossingstudy.com, as well as at designated viewing locations. Those who encounter difficulties accessing the document can contact 1-667-203-5408 for assistance.

The virtual public hearing is set for Monday, February 9, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m., and will be streamed online at http://www.baycrossingstudy.com. In-person hearings will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Broadneck High School, located at 1265 Green Holly Drive in Annapolis, Maryland, and on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kent Island High School, situated at 900 Love Point Road in Stevensville, Maryland. Each in-person event will begin with an open house at 5 p.m., allowing attendees to review project displays and information before formal testimony begins at 6 p.m. Individuals planning to provide testimony are encouraged to pre-register online at baycrossingstudy.com, though registration is not mandatory. For those unable to access the website, testimony can also be arranged by calling 1-667-203-5408. In the event of inclement weather leading to closures at the in-person hearing venues, updated dates will be posted on the project website.

The MDTA’s Recommended Preferred Alternative, Alternative C, encompasses several key components. It proposes the construction of two new four-lane bridge spans, complete with full shoulders, to traverse the Chesapeake Bay. This expansion aims to improve safety, increase transportation capacity, enhance reliability, and boost mobility across the waterway. A significant aspect of Alternative C involves the eventual removal of the existing Bay Bridge spans. This demolition is intended to address current roadway deficiencies, such as narrow lanes and the absence of shoulders, thereby eliminating the need for future major rehabilitation projects and their associated lane closures and traffic delays. Furthermore, the proposed new spans will feature increased navigational clearance, reaching 230 feet, to accommodate larger vessels accessing the Port of Baltimore. To manage the transition to the new crossing, US 50/301 will be widened to eight lanes, comprising four lanes in each direction, from west of Oceanic Drive to east of Cox Creek. The plan also includes financial commitments for transit-related improvements. Additionally, an optional bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path is being considered, with further evaluation to determine its final inclusion.

The MDTA is actively soliciting comments on both the Draft EIS and Alternative C until March 9, 2026. Feedback can be submitted through various channels, including mail, email, the project website, direct testimony at the public hearings, or by phone at 1-667-203-5408. All submitted comments will receive careful consideration and will be addressed in the Final EIS and Record of Decision. The MDTA, in conjunction with the FHWA, is conducting this review under the federally mandated NEPA process. This process is designed to evaluate alternatives that will meet current and future transportation demands across the Chesapeake Bay and along the US 50/301 corridor leading to the Bay Bridge. This federally required review applies to major federal actions, including those receiving federal funding or requiring federal approvals.

Individuals requiring special accommodations due to disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or those needing complimentary translation services, should contact the MDTA at 410-537-1000 (or 711 for MD Relay) at least five business days prior to the hearing they plan to attend. The MDTA is responsible for the financing, ownership, operation, security, and improvement of Maryland’s eight toll facilities. These operations are funded by toll revenue, with no reliance on state tax dollars.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Transportation Authority

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