It carries 4 lanes of U.S. Route 50, plus two sidewalks, across Sinepuxent Bay, connecting the downtown area of Ocean City, Maryland to the mainland of Worcester County, Maryland within West Ocean City, and is mere feet from the national eastern terminus of said route.

[5] At the time of its construction, the bridge carried U.S. Route 213; it was changed to its current number in 1948 when the extension of US 50 replaced US 213 south of Queen Anne's County.

Currently the bridge is a busy center of activity in the city, and is utilized by many fishermen, joggers, and cyclists.

The bridge is the target of much discussion due to its age and structural issues, as well as its antiquated design.

In August 2010, the Maryland State Highway Administration decided to construct a new drawbridge to replace the current structure.