(June 13, 2012) – As the tall ships amass on the Baltimore Harbor’s horizon and the mighty Blue Angels plan for a spectacular air show, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is preparing to help thousands of motorists navigate through the busy “Sailabration” http://www.starspangled200.com/ traffic this weekend.  SHA, in conjunction with Baltimore City and the Maryland Transportation Authority, is ready to keep traffic moving for the weekend festivities.  See the MDTA news release by clicking  http://tinyurl.com/8xyufny.

“This will be an exciting weekend and roads will be busy.  Beginning Friday night, June 15, SHA will add additional highway patrols to help keep traffic moving,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters.  “SHA is urging travelers to plan ahead by calling or visiting the 511 website and leave plenty of extra drive time.”

In addition to deployment of additional traffic patrols, SHA is keeping a maintenance crew on stand-by to rapidly respond to incidents.   Overhead dynamic message signs are being programmed at key locations to alert motorists of heavy traffic.

Additionally, the Anne Arundel County Burn Foundation is hosting a motorcycle ride from Glen Burnie to Stevensville, with higher traffic volumes on the Bay Bridge on Saturday between 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., when the group is expected to reach the bridge. The Maryland Transportation Authority will direct up to 1,200 motorcyclists to the far-right side of the toll plaza to manage the bikers’ safe crossing of the Bay Bridge.

SHA encourages Eastern Shore travelers to use 511’s incident and travel time information through the “Reach the Beach” prompts.  The “Reach the Beach” service provides expected travel times from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to points east into Ocean City, including time to major towns such as Easton and Cambridge.  The new service also provides the same information for the return trip west.  Together with 1-877-BAYSPAN, the Bay Bridge’s conditions hotline, MD 511 is providing motorists with real-time travel data to make driving a smoother experience.

Using transit is a great option to avoid sitting in traffic.  For information on Maryland’s transit services, log onto http://tinyurl.com/cshxwab.  SHA reminds motorists to drive carefully by limiting distractions, getting plenty of rest before venturing out and driving sober.  For more information, visit SHA’s website at www.roads.maryland.gov and follow SHA on Twitter @MDSHA. 

Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information!  Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org  for current travel information. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely - Maryland law prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

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