The eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane this week while inspectors examine a part of the bridge where a tractor-trailer fell of the span, said Maryland Transportation Authority.
From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today through Thursday, one lane will be closed and traffic will be diverted on to the westbound span, which will operate with two-way traffic, MdTA officials said.
A tractor-trailer heading west on the eastbound span Aug. 10 crashed through the concrete barrier and fell into the Bay after a teenage driver crossed the center and ran into the truck, police said.
The truck driver, John Robert Short, 57, of Willards, was killed during the accident, the first of its kind on the bridge’s 56-year history.
At that time, there was two-way traffic on the two-lane eastbound span.
“We’re always monitoring traffic, and we are more alert when we are operating at a single-lane level,” said Kelly Melhem, authority spokeswoman.
The adequacy of the barriers has been questioned by transportation experts who believe the barriers cannot hold back large trucks.
Melhem could not say what exactly the inspectors are looking for, but only that they are examining the barriers.
“As with any incident of this magnitude, we’re doing a full investigation,” she said.
MdTA officials are asking motorist to obey the 40-mph speed limit and use their headlights.
