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Bay Bridge Safety Measures To Be Taken

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- After a number of fatal crashes, improvements are coming to the Bay Bridge.

Construction begins Friday to include new safety measures on the westbound span.

Meghan McCorkell has more on what drivers can expect.

Work will begin Friday night on the westbound span to make it safer for two-way traffic.

In 2008, a tractor-trailer swerved to avoid a head-on collision on the westbound side of the Bay Bridge and winds up submerged in the water. The driver was killed.

A year earlier, three die in a massive wreck after a trailer being towed by a car came unhitched.

Both crashes happened when the westbound span was converted into two-way traffic.

"We were looking at different ways to improve safety," said John Sales, Maryland Transportation Authority.

Now a double solid yellow line will be painted between the left and center lanes, where traffic runs opposite directions. Rumble strips will be added between all lanes.

"It's based on a study that the MDTA completed last year on how to improve safety on the Bay Bridge when we do two-way traffic operations," Sales said.

Installing the new safety measures is expected to take about a week. All of the work will be done overnight, weather pending.

Drivers WJZ spoke with support the measures.

"I think it's a good idea because we've had a lot of head-on collisions there, so I think it will help," said Joanne Jones.

Officials say the safety enhancements are designed to prevent future tragedies.

The MDTA wanted to complete the safety improvements ahead of the busy summer travel season.

AAA is applauding the new safety measures, saying it adds physical and visual prompts to help drivers stay in the correct lane.

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