What is the Route 50 bridge?
The Route 50 bridge, formally the Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge, carries US Route 50 from West Ocean City across the bay into downtown Ocean City. It is the southern of the two entrances to the island and the one that lands you closest to the Boardwalk and the Inlet. It is a drawbridge, so it opens for boat traffic and stops road traffic while it does, which is a routine and unavoidable part of arriving during boating season.
Also called: Harry Kelley Memorial Bridge, the drawbridge, Route 50.
Two bridges, two destinations
Route 50 lands downtown. The Route 90 bridge lands around 62nd Street in midtown. If your rental is uptown, taking Route 90 avoids driving the length of Coastal Highway through every light in town. Choosing the bridge by destination rather than by habit is the single easiest traffic improvement most visitors can make.
Openings and delays
The bridge opens for boats. Those openings follow marine traffic and can add several minutes at unpredictable moments. Combine that with Saturday turnover and the approach can back up well onto the mainland. Build a buffer into any timed plan, such as a dinner reservation or a charter departure, that requires crossing.
What sits on either side
West of the bridge: the harbor, marinas, outlets, groceries, the Park and Ride, and the road to Assateague. East of it: downtown, the Boardwalk, and the Inlet. Understanding that split explains most Ocean City logistics, including why an errand and a beach day should not be scheduled back to back.
Choosing your way onto the island
Route 50 bridge
Choose it when: Staying or visiting downtown.
Tradeoff: Drawbridge openings and turnover traffic.
Route 90 bridge
Choose it when: Staying midtown or uptown.
Tradeoff: Two lanes, and its own backup on peak Saturdays.
Coastal Highway from Delaware
Choose it when: Arriving from the north.
Tradeoff: Slow through Fenwick and the north end.
Current source: Ocean City Tourism plan your visit. Fees, hours, posted rules: all of it moves without much notice, so confirm anything time-sensitive on the day you go.