Work cancels Bay Bridge Walk in 2008, 2009

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Construction work has forced transportation officials to cancel the annual Bay Bridge Walks for the next two years, the Maryland Transportation Authority announced Thursday.

Every year since 1975 the authority has closed a span of the 4.3-mile crossing to vehicular traffic on a Sunday in May and allowed pedestrians to stroll across the Bay, enjoying breathtaking views and burning calories.

Unfortunately for fans of the event, the ongoing project to install a new surface on the bridge’s westbound span will force them to wait until 2010 to cross the Bay on foot.

Construction equipment and materials will be stored near the base of the eastbound span, where participants would normally board buses after crossing the bridge.

Ronald L. Freeman, the authority’s executive secretary, said the bus-boarding area could not be safely relocated due to the construction work.

“This was certainly a difficult decision to make, and we did not take it lightly,” Freeland said. “We understand the excitement and anticipation that surrounds this event; however, the safety of participants, who would need to walk through a construction area in order to board buses for their return trips, is our number-one priority.”

jrogalsky@dcexaminer.com