WASHINGTON — Traffic backups began earlier than on a usual Labor Day weekend Saturday morning at the Bay Bridge when a power outage prevented the Maryland Transportation Authority from opening two-way operations that would allow more space for cars travelling toward the Maryland and Delaware beaches.
After massive delays, power was restored Saturday evening though traffic was still recuperating.
POWER RESTORED! Crews are prepping to install 2-way at the Bay Brg. Thanks for your patience during this event. #mdtraffic
— MDTA (@TheMDTA) September 5, 2015
The outages reduced the number of open eastbound lanes to two, when there normally would have been three. An accident Saturday afternoon only made matters worse, bringing the number of open lanes down to one — on top of what had already stretched become 10-mile backup.
Tamory Winfield told WTOP that an electrical short had caused the outage. Without power, the signals required for safe operation of the westbound span with reversible lanes is not possible.
