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Bay Bridge Deemed Safe To Drive Over Until 2065

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- No reason to worry about the structural safety of the Bay Bridge -- at least not for the next 50 years.

WJZ's Pat Warren explains.

Maryland transportation officials say a bridge life cycle analysis has determined the twin spans are in satisfactory condition.

"Satisfactory really means the bridge is not deficient in any way and other than doing normal preservation and maintenance the bridge is safe," said Milt Chaffee, Maryland Transportation Authority.

The structure is safe, but drivers may argue that safe doesn't equal efficient.

"There's miles and miles of backup," one driver says. "19 hours and hours it's horrible."

Accidents can be catastrophic, creating backups for hours, in addition to giving drivers little room to maneuver in risky situations.

The study find that's additional lanes are needed to accommodate traffic by 2040.

According to Chaffee, the study identifies four options that could be used by 2025:

-Keep the bridge as is and build another 3-lane structure for $5 billion.

- Demolish the eastbound span and build a new five lane span--about $5.5 billion

- Demolish the existing bridge and build a new 8 lane bridge for $6 billion.

- Add three eastbound for under $4 billion.

"They're actually based on 2014 dollars, but also looking at the cost it could be down the road," said Chaffee.

The study calls for some deck replacement and cable replacement as part of the preservation and maintenance of the bridge.

The age of the eastbound and westbound structures combined is 100 years.

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