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Third Bay Bridge Span Study, New MD License Plate

sha.maryland.gov

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan has announced a $5 million study to explore a potential new Chesapeake Bay crossing.

Hogan said Tuesday the Maryland Transportation Authority Board voted last week for the Tier 1 National Environmental Policy Act study.

The study will begin this fall and take up to four years to finish. It will identify the location of a crossing and possible funding options.

The study will involve issues ranging from traffic and engineering to environmental questions and potential costs.

Credit Don Rush

Hogan says the study is needed, because there is too much traffic that will only get worse on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which is the only bridge over the nation's largest estuary that connects the state's eastern and western shores.

State officials say that studies show the current Bay Bridge could experience serious backups by 2040.

Hogan also unveiled a new Maryland license plate design with a display of the state flag.

It will replace the 1812 plate.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.