Crossing the Susquehanna River by bike will get easier on July 1

This is good news for people biking the East Coast Greenway or the 9/11 Memorial Trail.

The Maryland Transportation Authority has released rules for bicyclists using the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge when cycling access to the Route 40 span across the Susquehanna River between Havre de Grace and Perryville begins on July 1.

The announcement caused some consternation, because the bridge, the oldest of the state's toll bridges, doesn't have shoulders. When the bridge was built in 1940, it had a sidewalk, but that was taken out in subsequent reconstructions of the highway decking.

The local leaders are concerned about safety, like trucks not being able to give 3 feet when passing. But the bridge is two lanes, so trucks should just move to the left lane.

bicyclists will be allowed to cross the bridge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from dawn to dusk Saturday, Sunday and on state holidays.

Prior to crossing the bridge, bicyclists will push a button to activate flashing warning lights that alert drivers when a bicyclist is crossing the bridge. The lights will flash for 10 to 15 minutes, providing the bicyclist time to safely cross the bridge, MDTA said.

Bicyclists must ride in the direction of traffic and should position themselves in the center of the right lane. Motorists are encouraged to use the left lane when warning lights are flashing.

And this is exciting

Bicyclists traveling east will pay the $8 two-axle toll in the far right toll lane, where cash and E-ZPass are accepted.

Finally I'll have a comeback when people say that cyclist don't pay anything to use the roads. I think this will be the only place in the US where cyclists pay a toll. 

Comments

[SJE]

Why only 9am to 3pm? Again, they view cycling only as a recreation.

[Maureen]

this culture of imbeciles sallies forth: they cant even get this bridge crossing right!! WHY THE FUCK ONLY 9 to 3 on WEEKDAYS?! where are the "avid cyclist" bike advocates?!!!

[jeffB]

Well obviously the 9am-3pm weekday restriction is to limit a cyclist's impact on rush hour traffic.

[SJE]

I understand they want to limit the impact on rush hour traffic. But cyclists have no other options. Are they going to swim across? Also, its not like there are swarms of cyclists begriming the bridge and holding up cars. Perhaps give windows to access the bridge every 30 minutes.

[jeffB]

As I recall (and WC should know) the long term plan is to have cyclists cross just upstream over the (abandoned?) railroad bridge.

[wash cycle]

That's correct. I don't think it's the plan, as Amtrak/MDOT aren't sold on it yet, but the East Coast Greenway is pushing for it.

[twk]

I can see paying something, but $8 is a bit steep. Might need to take my time and get my money's worth. :^)

So how much do they charge for a unicycle? Does a bike with a trailer get charged for three axles?

[Joe F]

This is kind of nice but really isn't a big advancement for cycling in Maryland. 99% of Maryland cyclists gain no benefit from this. This is a copout instead of building a real cycling friendly river crossing.

If Maryland really wants to do something to make Maryland more bicycle friendly they need to:

- Get ride of the mandatory bike lane use law

- Fix the 3-feet while passing law so that it is mandatory to give 3 feet regardless of width of the lane. Currently drivers only have to give 3 feet if the lane is 14 feet wide. The majority of roads throughout Maryland are more narrow than 14 feet.