WASHINGTON — Monday’s drive home is expected to be a lot smoother for commuters who use the Chesapeake Bay Bridge compared to Saturday’s trip when a bad transformer caused backups of up to 9 miles on the bridge.
On the first day of a three-day weekend, excitement quickly turned to frustration for families headed to the Maryland and Delaware beaches Saturday morning. Shortly before a rush of commuters was expected at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the power went out on the westbound span.
“When we don’t have power on that span, the overhead signal controls weren’t able to function or work,” said Tamory Winfield, spokesman for the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Normally with the expectation of many beachgoers on a holiday weekend, a third reversible lane on the westbound span of the bridge would be used for eastbound traffic. Without functioning lights, Winfield says there was not a safe way to reverse the lane.
Once the transformer was located along the 4.4-mile-long bridge, a generator was used to power the lights, allowing the lane to be reversed. While traffic flowed again, crews spent Saturday night replacing the transformer.
Winfield says the MDTA doesn’t expect any issues or delays for the thousands of drivers who will head home from the beaches Monday night. As a precaution, the generator will be kept in place, in case there are any issues with the newly replaced transformer.
For returning drivers, Winfield is recommending a delayed return.
“If you are going to travel before 10 p.m., expect heavy traffic,” Winfield said.
