The Maryland Transportation Authority said the federal approval, known as the Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement, concludes years of study and gives the agency an approved route for a project expected to cost between $15 billion and $17 billion. The preferred design calls for two new four-lane bridges with full shoulders, built along the path of the existing crossing. The current spans would be removed once the new ones open.

The project also includes widening U.S. 50/301 to eight lanes from west of Oceanic Drive to east of Cox Creek to handle traffic flowing onto and off the new crossing. The authority said it will also evaluate adding a bike and pedestrian path along the bridge.

The new spans would be taller than the existing bridge, with a navigational clearance of 230 feet to accommodate larger oceangoing ships traveling to and from the Port of Baltimore. That matches the clearance planned for the new Francis Scott Key Bridge under construction over the Patapsco River.

Design work on the two spans is scheduled to begin in 2028, with construction potentially starting as soon as 2032, according to the transportation authority. Earlier forecasts put the cost of the project between $15 billion and $17 billion.

"I'm very excited to get a chance to move forward with the next step on just creating a smoother travel experience for those who drive over the bridge," Gov. Wes Moore said.

Beyond nearly doubling the capacity of the existing bridges, the authority said the project will add $23 billion to the local economy and create more than 60,000 jobs.

The federal environmental review included public open houses, hearings and attendance at more than 120 community events across the study area. The authority said it received more than 5,600 comments and survey responses during the process.

"The public-input process was deeply valuable to the success of this study, and our team engaged with thousands of residents, community members, drivers and elected officials on both sides of the bay to ensure a collaborative approach for all stakeholders," Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Bruce Gartner said in a statement.

Moore framed the approval as part of a broader push to deliver major infrastructure projects quickly.

"We're just adding this to the list of incredibly important and big projects that we are working on and working through and working in partnership with the federal administration on," Moore said. "Because of the historic speed and the historic projects that we are getting done in the state of Maryland, we want to make sure that with this administration, that we are making sure these projects are getting done and getting done quickly and efficiently."

The Bay Bridge carries traffic across the Chesapeake Bay between Anne Arundel and Queen Anne's counties and is a critical link for commuters, freight and Eastern Shore residents. The existing spans, opened in 1952 and 1973, have long been cited as a bottleneck, particularly during summer beach traffic and emergency evacuations.

The approval does not guarantee construction will proceed on that timeline. The project still faces design work, permitting and the challenge of assembling billions of dollars in funding. But the federal sign-off removes a significant regulatory hurdle and gives the state an approved blueprint to move forward.