The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has recommended an optional separated bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path on one of the spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge replacement despite 56 local, regional and national organizations calling for the path to be included in the new design. Your voice is needed!
Many carrying their bike helmets joined BikeAAA at MDTA’s Public Meeting on Feb 10 from 5-8 pm at the Broadneck High School (1265 Green Holly Dr, Annapolis, MD 21409) and at the Virtual Meeting on Feb. 8. add your voice to the call for a mandatory separated walking and bicycling path!
The Baltimore Banner Story: Cyclists want Bay Bridge path to close a ‘critical gap’
Maryland Matters: Bay Bridge Path Must Be More Than an Afterthought
MD Bike/Ped Advisory Committee Urges Path Inclusion and Analysis of Benefits
The MDTA is also accepting online public input. We encourage individuals and organizations to submit written input in support of a mandatory shared-use path. At the end of this post is sample language you can use.
This iconic crossing of the bay would connect the existing Cross Island Trail at Terrapin Park on the eastern shore with the just completed Broadneck Trail at Sandy Point State Park on the western shore. These existing trails are part of the envisioned Maryland Eastern Shore Trail Network, Anne Arundel Trail Network, Maryland Transportation Trails Network and potentially part of national trail networks like the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail and the East Coast Greenway which goes from Maine to Key West.
This chart from a prior MDTA report shows examples of fully separated shared-use paths on other major U.S. bridges.
In June, 2025 BikeAAA co-led with Bike Maryland a sign-on letter asking for a barrier-separated bike/ped lane on a replacement Chesapeake Bay Bridge, in which 56 local, regional and national organizations signed on and we received considerable press attention. Read the letter and press coverage HERE.
In January, 2026, the Maryland Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee submitted a letter to MDOT, MDTA and MD DNR recommending that the shared-use path be a mandatory, not separately-priced option, of the new bridge.
It is up to us to advocate for the bike and pedestrian path. Please provide your support for a mandatory Shared-Use Path before March 9, 2026!
Below is sample text that you can use to provide input personally or on behalf of your organization. We encourage you to copy, paste and personalize it before you email or submit online.
DATE
To: info@baycrossingstudy.com
We are writing to express our support for a separated bicycle and pedestrian facility (shared-use path) to be included as mandatory in the design and construction of the replacement Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
There are many bridges throughout the US that have separated pedestrian and bicycle paths. These bridges have become destinations for recreation and tourism, substantially bolstering local and regional economies. Due to the size and scale of the Chesapeake Bay, we envision that the impact of a path on the replacement Bay Bridge would have magnitudes higher impact on the regional economy than most of these existing paths.
An example is the Mario Cuomo Bridge across the Hudson River north of New York City. People here in Maryland visit that bridge and describe how much they enjoyed walking and pedaling across it. It is a tremendous asset to the region.
The Bay Bridge path would bring regional and national recognition to the local area, as it would connect to the East Coast Greenway (a National Trail from Maine to Key West), the 911 National Memorial Trail (which connects all three crash sites), and the American Discovery Trail (a Delaware to California National Trail). The path would close the current gap in the existing trail systems between Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s counties; these well-used trails represent substantial investments by the counties, and will support the budding Maryland Eastern Shore Trail Network. The shared-use path would also provide a commuting alternative and an emergency vehicle/maintenance lane when needed.
We see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the area a world-class
destination for the region. We join our advocacy partners in urging you to make the path a mandatory feature of the replacement bridge.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR TITLE AND ORGANIZATION (IF APPLICABLE)
Awesome idea! I am in favor of the shared use plan for the new bridge.
Please advise the best way for citizens to voice their support for this and any opportunities to come out en-masse. An organized bike ride? A MDTA/State House rally? Letter writing campaign?
The new span across the Potomac via the Harry W Nice Bridge was a HUGE missed opportunity by MDTA, and I hope this doesn’t go that same way for the generations to come, especially as a seamless connection between the Broadneck Trail to the west and the Cross Island Trail to the east!
I dream of a day for a dedicated bike route from Baltimore to the Ocean (without risking life on the shoulder of Rt 50)!
The best way to have your voice heard this month is to attend one of the meetings Feb 9, 10, 12 and/or weigh-in with online/email support as indicated above. More details at https://www.baycrossingstudy.com/public-engagement/upcoming-meetings/
Providing a divided path across the Bay Bridge would be a spectacular opportunity for bike riders and pedestrians alike.
Not only would it provide residents a new mode of eco-friendly transportation to and from the eastern & western shores, but it would also provide recreational bikers/walkers an extraordinary opportunity to experience the visual thrill of the Chesapeake Bay.
I have had the good fortune to participate in bike trips all over world and this route would entice many bicyclists from near and far to come to Maryland and generate a large amount of tourist revenue as well. Please support this GREAT idea!
I am TOTALLY AGAINST the bridge project itself. Money should focus on the 495 bridge instead.