MD legislator tries to cut Eastern Shore out of loop on new Bay Bridge plans

One Maryland state senator from the Western Shore does not want the Eastern Shore’s input or consent on a new Chesapeake Bay crossing.

Senator Ed Reilly, representing Anne Arundel County, has introduced Senate Bill 34, titled “Chesapeake Bay Bridge Crossing – Eastern Shore Local Government Consent –  Repeal”. The bill specifically names the 9 counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and repeals a requirement that MDOT get majority consent from those counties affected by the construction of a new toll road, highway or bridge crossing the Chesapeake Bay.

Lawmakers from the Eastern Shore are up in arms over being cut out of the loop, one Kent County legislator introducing his own bill completely removing the county from consideration as a potential location.