Irene Update 4 PM Saturday; Bay Bridge Tunnel Closed:

Irene Update 4 PM Saturday; Bay Bridge Tunnel Closed:
Bay Bridge Details:
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (commonly known as the Bay Bridge) is a major dual-span bridge in the U.S. state of Maryland. Spanning the Chesapeake Bay, it connects the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the more urban Western Shore. The original span opened in 1952 and, at the time, with a length of 4.3 miles (6.9 km), it was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure. The parallel span was added in 1973. The bridge is officially named the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge after William Preston Lane, Jr. who, as governor of Maryland, initiated its construction.The bridge is part of U.S. Routes 50 and 301, and serves as a vital link in both routes. As part of U.S. Route 50, it connects the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area with tourist destinations such as Ocean City, Maryland, Delaware's ocean resorts, Assateague Island, and Chincoteague, Virginia. As part of U.S. Route 301, it serves as part of an alternate route for Interstate 95 travelers between northern Delaware and the Washington, D.C. area. Because of this linkage, the bridge is heavily traveled and has become known as a point of traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours and summer months.
Update 4 PM Saturday Bridge Tunnel Closed:
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel connecting the southern tip of the Delmarva to mainland Virginia has been closed to all traffic until further notice as Hurricane Irene moved toward the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay late Saturday afternoon.President Obama has signed and Emergency Declaration for Maryland that allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief with state and local officials.According to a release from the state Emergency Management Agency, the declaration allows FEMA to “save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Baltimore, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, and Baltimore City.”Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.
To day news The Bay Bridge travel restricted as winds increase:
BALTIMORE — A rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Annapolis, Md., assisted three people north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge after their 23-foot boat began taking on water Saturday afternoon. The boater contacted Coast Guard Sector Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is closed. by mema_admin August 27, 2011. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is closed until further notice authority of Virginia OEM. Tags: hurricane, virgina, roads · Hurricane · Comments (0). Contact the Office Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is closed. by mema_admin August 27, 2011. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is closed until further notice authority of Virginia OEM. Tags: hurricane, virgina, roads · Hurricane · Comments (0). Contact the Office SANDY POINT The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and other Maryland Transportation Authority facilities remain open for traffic after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Virginia and was felt up and down the Chesapeake Bay. "Operations staff have accessed all SANDY POINT The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and other Maryland Transportation Authority facilities remain open for traffic after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Virginia and was felt up and down the Chesapeake Bay. "Operations staff have accessed all.”