Md. Officials Say Bay Bridge Safer Than Most Roads

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland transportation officials say the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is safe and has had fewer accidents than most state highways, despite a recent crash that sent a car into the water and a driver swimming to safety.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. Investigators examined the bridge Thursday and Friday and met with local transportation officials.

Doug Hutcheson, the Maryland Transportation Authority's chief engineer, tells The Capital that the bridge's barriers are designed to deflect vehicles back onto the roadway. The eastbound barriers are about 36 inches high, while the newer westbound span's barriers are 46 inches high. There are no plans to make the eastbound barriers higher.

Officials say 100 million vehicles have crossed the bridge since the last vehicle fell off it in 2008.

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