William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge, known as the Bay Bridge is terrifying

[Garrette]

The 1000 island bridge in up state New York at the end of I-81, crossing into Canada is a gut wrenching bridge to cross. Been across it many times in a car but In my RV. I cringe at the possibility. High, Narrow, old, bouncy, swingy, trucks keep 500 ft apart signs with a steel deck. It would be an adventure.

[A32Deuce]

Originally Posted by Mightycamper

Be aware of carrying propane tanks with product in them through the tunnels, you may receive a hefty fine if caught.

What tunnels. I just crossed the Bay/Tunnel bridge twice and the Hampton Roads tunnel twice and all they wanted was the propane off. Balt. Tunnel is the only one I know you can't go through.

[johntaylor]

For those who don't know what we're talking about, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is 4.3 miles long, and 186 ft above the water.

[ThePostman]

Mr. Lahey:


Welcome to my world. White knuckles, radio OFF, NO ONE speaks during the entire trip across the span. To add insult to injury - you HAVE TO PAY to cross this piece of Hell!

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by johntaylor

For those who don't know what we're talking about, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is 4.3 miles long, and 186 ft above the water.

COOL! Now I know I HAVE to drive over this.[emoji2956]
I'd be more than happy to pay, for the privilege to drive over this!

[RadRik]

Originally Posted by bikendan

COOL! Now I know I HAVE to drive over this.[emoji2956]
I'd be more than happy to pay, for the privilege to drive over this!

Last time I crossed it you only had to pay heading east.
Love crossing that bridge. Makes my DW crazy because I point out the ships and she tells me to keep my eyes straight ahead.
Happy Travels!

[CNYCamper]

Originally Posted by Garrette

The 1000 island bridge in up state New York at the end of I-81, crossing into Canada is a gut wrenching bridge to cross.

We've crossed that bridge at least once a year for 30 years going to Wellesley Island State Park and every time, and I mean EVERY TIME, when the bridge comes into view, the DW will yell, "OMG I forgot about the bridge."

[Tall frog]

We have done the Mac and just pray for a calm day when you do, lots of sway. They some times need an escort for tall units

[bikendan]

Can you walk along the sides or ride bicycles on it?

[ScottBrownstein]

I crossed the bay bridge a lot, took bridge tunnel with a TOAD in tow. The absolute worst experience I had, however, is crossing the bridge to PEI on a rainy day. Couldn't see the water, couldn't see the land...one lane each way. Had to take deep breaths to avoid a panic attack and I don't do those normally. Stayed at PEI for 3 days dreading to trip back.

Wow...what a difference, there is the water...and could see the other side for the whole trip!!!

[uhduh camping]

Yes twice a year. They do a walk/run event and cycling for charities.
And in my case we were on a school field trip coming back from DC. When our Greyhound bus broke down on the bridge! We had to walk a couple hundred yards to another bus.

Originally Posted by bikendan

Can you walk along the sides or ride bicycles on it?

[NJKris]

I don't believe there is a stitch of shoulder or catwalk or anything on the outside of the lanes for walking. The edge of the lane i think is the edge of the bridge. I rather enjoy driving the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Totally different bridge. Glad the Bay bridge gives others a bit of anxiety, I don't feel like such a wuss now!

[FordHauler]

We crossed those bridges so many times while living on the Eastern Shore in St. Michaels, MD.
My business was in Delaware and I had an employee who decided to commit suicide by jumping from that bridge. After parking his car on the bridge around midnight, on a Monday, he climbed up one of the support cables to the top of the columns where he decided to take a nap.
That morning around 7:30 a motorist called 911 to report a person standing on the catwalk at the top of the bridge. (This would be bikendan’s dream viewpoint. Some 379 feet above the water.)
Police climbed up the same cable to escort him down while no traffic was allowed on the 3 lane westbound span. A real traffic nightmare for persons going to work.
The short version of the story ended well.
However........it took a quite a while to bail him out of jail!

Anyone who crosses those spans knows the apprehensive thoughts of “what if?”.
Travel safe

[itat]

Originally Posted by Garrette

The 1000 island bridge in up state New York at the end of I-81, crossing into Canada is a gut wrenching bridge to cross. Been across it many times in a car but In my RV. I cringe at the possibility. High, Narrow, old, bouncy, swingy, trucks keep 500 ft apart signs with a steel deck. It would be an adventure.

In my teenage years we lived in a village just north of the Canadian 1000 Islands bridge. I worked on the island for a summer job and walked my bicycle across it 5-6 days a week.

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by FordHauler

We crossed those bridges so many times while living on the Eastern Shore in St. Michaels, MD.
My business was in Delaware and I had an employee who decided to commit suicide by jumping from that bridge. After parking his car on the bridge around midnight, on a Monday, he climbed up one of the support cables to the top of the columns where he decided to take a nap.
That morning around 7:30 a motorist called 911 to report a person standing on the catwalk at the top of the bridge. (This would be bikendan’s dream viewpoint. Some 379 feet above the water.)
Police climbed up the same cable to escort him down while no traffic was allowed on the 3 lane westbound span. A real traffic nightmare for persons going to work.
The short version of the story ended well.
However........it took a quite a while to bail him out of jail!

Anyone who crosses those spans knows the apprehensive thoughts of “what if?”.
Travel safe

Glad you employee was rescued.

I was told another guy took the plunge and left his car blocking traffic. Another guy got in his car and drove it off the bridge to the relief of everyone behind him.

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by DRM796

I understand how you feel but being from the eastern side of the bridge anything other than local trips usually takes us across the bridge so maybe I'm used to it. I'm sorry but I'll take a ride over that bridge before wanting to be on I-95. The sign says 65 but if you aren't doing 80 you are in the way!!! Leave a safe enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you and some one will squeeze right on in. No thank you. Those big city folks need to get up earlier and maybe they won't need to be in such a big hurry.


OK I feel better now.

My wife tells me we will be living under the shadow of that Bay bridge next year. My daughter lives in Annapolis and they are looking at homes on Kent Island but the construction traffic may delay a move for them. Me, I am ready. 😀

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Mightycamper

Be aware of carrying propane tanks with product in them through the tunnels, you may receive a hefty fine if caught.

It depends on what tunnel you're talking about:
https://learntorv.com/road-tunnel-re...near-maryland/

The 2 Baltimore tunnels do not allow more than 10 lbs of propane through them.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is a bridge, not a tunnel and has no propane restrictions.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is both and requires that propane be off before going through. But you are allowed to travel through with propane on board.

[bareftn]

Been across that bridge many times and never gave it a thought to me it was just another bridge
Now the old road way going down into the keys now that was something the road way for each lane was only 8 ft wide and not todays standards of 11 ft
thankgod they built a new road

[DaGrinch]

There was female MSP trooper that couldn't stand the Bay Bridge. Whenever she had to travel to the Eastern Shore, she always had one of the Transportation Police officers drive her cruiser over the Bridge.
Me? The couple times I have gone over it, I stay in a middle lane, if possible. When I was real young my Aunt was going over a rickety bridge with a wooden plank surface. One of the planks broke as she was driving over it (with my mom, me and my sister in the car) one of the rear wheels of the car went down in the break a bit. [emoji32] This happened at night over a river. Never knew what fear was until then.

[NJKris]

And lets not forget the trolls. The trolls, Jerry, the trolls!!!