​Annual Event Attracts Thousands of People

(March 22, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will add extra highway response and other logistical support for the 26th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge, which will be held at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. The event routinely draws thousands of people each year – with the exception of last year, when the event was virtual due to the COVID-19 emergency.     

MDOT SHA crews will directly support the event on Saturday, March 26, when traffic volumes are expected to be high. MDOT SHA will provide enhanced emergency traffic patrols to the following key corridors: 

• US 50 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) between MD 424 (Davidsonville Road) and MD 2 (Ritchie Highway),   
• I-97 between MD 32 and US 50,   
• MD 70 (Rowe Boulevard) between US 50 and Taylor Avenue,
• MD 2 between US 50 and College Parkway,   
• US 50 between MD 2 and Sandy Point State Park, and   
• US 50 between MD 8 (Romancoke Road) and the US 50/US 301 split in Queen Anne’s County.

Additionally, MDOT SHA Annapolis Maintenance Facility will provide traffic cones to guide event attendees to appropriate parking at the US Navy/Marine Corps Stadium parking lot. Buses will transport event participants to Sandy Point State Park. 

Motorists are encouraged to build extra travel time to their commutes, particularly Saturday, March 26. Drivers are invited to log onto www.roads.maryland.gov and click on CHART for access to hundreds of live traffic cameras and information about any crashes or highway incidents. 

Editor’s Note

From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders.  MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.