Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel official stresses safety after fatal tractor-trailer crash
Thursday's fatal tractor-trailer accident that involved a Coast Guard search off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel has reminded the public of the importance of safe driving habits.
As one of the most heavily traveled roadways on the Delmarva Penisula, the bridge tunnel is also one of the most unique structures given how quickly weather and other safety factors can impact the commute.
Tom Anderson, the bridge tunnel's deputy executive director of Finance and Operations, noted the dangers of distracted driving and highlighted the various ways they strive to keep the public aware of any potentially troublesome conditions.
"Drivers need to be alert, and distracted driving is one of the riskiest things a person can do," Anderson said. "The current speed limit over most of the facility is 55 miles per hour, and there are a few sections and construction areas where it's reduced to 45 miles per hour. We also have occasional reductions across the entire facility."
More on the recent fatality on the CBBT UPDATE: Driver identified in fatal Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel tractor-trailer crash
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Keeping close eye on overall driving conditions, involves a multifaceted approach, monitoring updated weather reports and staying in close contact with the National Weather Service's Wakefield office.
Conditions in the middle of the Bay, Anderson noted, can quickly become exacerbated compared to areas on dry land. The plethora of safety measures already in place at the bridge tunnel facility are designed to deal with multiple situations.
"If there's a known weather event coming our way, we'll be watching the radars to see where it's at in relation to the facility and apply weather restriction 20 to 30 minutes before its arrival," Anderson said. "Being able to access the location of an accident is always a challenge because of the nature of our facility. Our police department, emergency crews and outside rescue services work together to take care of that circumstance."
Until recently, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was the longest bridge and tunnel complex in the world, stretching over 18 miles of open water. That makes it entirely possible for one patron to be on the Eastern Shore side in sunny conditions while those closer to the Virginia Beach location experience a severe thunderstorm.
Along with the official CBBT website, the CBBT's official twitter account regularly posts updates about driving conditions.
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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: 'Be alert': Bridge tunnel official discusses safety after fatal crash
