If you put off your trip to the Eastern Shore until after 7 p.m. tonight, you can cross the Bay Bridge without paying a toll.

The Maryland Lottery is picking up the cost of the tolls until midnight. The Maryland Transportation Authority is hoping the toll-free ride will induce some drivers to avoid the typical afternoon crush at the bridge.

The Lottery office also sponsored on two other Fridays this summer. On August 15th, the Ocean Conservancy became the first private entity to participate in the sponsorship program.

In exchange for paying motorists' tolls during the five-hour period, the Lottery has received certain advertising and promotional privileges from the operators of the bridge.