<P> 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 urban Western Shore . The original span opened in 1952 and with a length of 4.3 miles ( 6.9 km ) , was the world 's longest continuous over-water steel structure ; the parallel span was added in 1973 . The bridge is officially named the `` Gov. William Preston Lane Jr . Memorial Bridge '' after William Preston Lane Jr. who , as the 52nd Governor of Maryland , initiated its construction in the late 1940s finally after decades of political indecision and public controversy . </P>
<P> 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 urban Western Shore . The original span opened in 1952 and with a length of 4.3 miles ( 6.9 km ) , was the world 's longest continuous over-water steel structure ; the parallel span was added in 1973 . The bridge is officially named the `` Gov. William Preston Lane Jr . Memorial Bridge '' after William Preston Lane Jr. who , as the 52nd Governor of Maryland , initiated its construction in the late 1940s finally after decades of political indecision and public controversy . </P>
when was the bay bridge in maryland built
when was the bay bridge in maryland built
1952
1952