Saturday, May 4, 2013

Chesapeake Bay Bridge, 1958 and 2002

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Linking Western and Eastern Shores of Maryland

Third longest bridge in the world composed of 123 spans, 4.35 miles over water.  Overall length 7.727 miles.  Length of suspension spans, 2,922 1/2 feet.  Roadway, 198 1/2 feet above Chesapeake Bay at highest point.  Cost, $45,000.000.

This card is postmarked in 1958 with a 2 cent Jefferson stamp.

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Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Maryland
The Baltimore-Annapolis Washington region is linked to the eastern shore of Maryland by the five mile dual Chesapeake Bay Bridge, with the longest steel spans over salt water in the world. Over 200 feet at its highest point, the first span was completed in 1952 and the second added in 1973.

Photo: David Harp

This one is postmarked in 2002 with first-class flag stamp.

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In December 2004, a study concluded that traffic across the bridge was expected to increase by 40% by 2025. The following year, a task force formed by Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich met to again explore the possibility of establishing a new Chesapeake Bay crossing. The task force concluded that a bridge would be the best option for an additional crossing, and four geographic locations for such a bridge were explored.  However in late 2006, the task force released a report on the study but did not make a final recommendation; members of the task force requested additional time to continue the study.

4 comments:

ONeal said...

Yeah, I like this post! Love bridge postcards and "then and now" comparisons. :)

I have an unused card with another view of this bridge (somewhat similar to the 1958 card). If you're interested, I'll send it your way.

Postcard Blogger said...

Hello ONeal - I like the then and now comparisons too - thanks for the offer of the bridge, but I have several of this bridge, so I will leave it for someone who doesn't have one :D (yes, it is actually painful to type no to a postcard! but I don't want to be greedy either :)

ONeal said...

Ok, no problem on the bridge card. Ha! I totally understand the "painful to say no" thing. :)

Hey, I have a question for you, sort of related. If you send an official Postcrossing card to someone, and they like it so much that they offer to send a card to you, do you take them up on their offer?

Postcard Blogger said...

I have had people offer, most of the time I say yes and send them my address. (I have a PO Box) Then I send them another card too, and count it as a swap. There are times I have contacted people to send them a thank you card, so I understand what they are doing. However, there have been times when I am too busy and just don't. I look at it like this, my postcards are my fun time. If it becomes 'work' then why do it? So if I am too busy, then no, I don't take them up on it. - well, now that I have written a book about this here, did I answer your question or leave you with a headache??