KENT ISLAND, Md.- Maryland Transportation Authority Police say a tractor-trailer heading eastbound over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge overturned just after 11:20 p.m. Friday following sudden strong winds through the area. Police said this accident led to an approximately four-hour closure of the bridge in both directions.
According to Sgt. Kirk Perez, sustained winds at the time were blowing at about 55 miles per hour, with gusts approaching 80 miles per hour. Sgt. Perez said the trailer came to a rest on the bridge's north barrier and spilled some fuel, prompting clean-up assistance from the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Sgt. Perez told WBOC the severe weather also brought down some scaffolding on the bridge, which also had to be cleared.
The eastbound side of the Bay Bridge reopened to traffic at 3:22 a.m. Saturday, followed by the reopening of the westbound side at 4:04 a.m., according to Sgt. Perez.
Sgt. Perez said the operator of the tractor trailer was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
