More than 2.1 million motorists are expected to travel on state highways over the Labor Day holiday weekend, including more than 327,000 passages on the Bay Bridge.
State transportation officials are warning of a 1.5 percent increase in traffic volumes since last year and suggesting alternate travel times for vacationers.
If you’re headed “down the ocean,” the Maryland Transportation Authority suggests the following off-peak travel times to and from the Eastern Shore:
- Thursday—before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.;
- Friday—before 7 a.m. and after 9 p.m.;
- Saturday—before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.;
- Sunday—before 8 a.m. and after midnight; and
- Labor Day Monday—before 10 a.m. and after midnight.
Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions or go online to view traffic cameras.
The transportation authority anticipates the following number of vehicles to travel its toll facilities between Friday and Monday:
- Interstate 95—more than 543,000;
- Fort McHenry Tunnel—more than 465,000; and
- 562,000 vehicles are projected to travel the Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695), the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40) and the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (US 301) combined.
MDTA will provide real-time updates on major traffic incidents at twitter.com/TheMDTA.
Email or text alerts and real-time traffic camera views are on the MDTA website.
Additional MDTA Police patrols will be out this weekend looking for impaired drivers.
Additional Vehicle Recovery Units will also be on duty to respond quickly to incidents and disabled vehicles during the holiday weekend.
If your vehicle becomes disabled, remain inside and call #77 for assistance.
County closures
Montgomery County government will observe the following schedule on the Labor Day holiday:
County Offices – closed;
Libraries – closed;
DLC Liquor & Wine Stores – all stores will be open 10 a.m.–6 p.m.;
Recreation – The Bethesda, Germantown, Western County, Wheaton/Glenmont and MLK outdoor pools will be open from noon to 6 p.m. The Olney Indoor Swim Center will be open its normal hours. All other indoor aquatic facilities and the Long Branch and Upper County outdoor pools will be closed. Recreation centers, senior centers and administrative offices will be closed;
Montgomery Parks – Times for special programs, events and operating schedules at county parks, including Brookside Gardens, ice rinks and tennis centers, are at www.MontgomeryParks.org;
Ride On – Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule;
Metrorail and Metrobus – Holiday weekend schedule information is available at www.wmata.com;
TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center – open;
TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store – closed;
County trash and recycling pickup – Collection will slide by one day. For information on the slide schedule, go to: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sws/holidays/;
The Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station – closed;
Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free; and
State offices and courts – closed.
