US 29 Bridge Is Renamed 'Bridge Columbia'

COLUMBIA, MD — The pedestrian bridge that crosses US 29 in Columbia has officially been completed, Howard County authorities announced this week. Providing a connection between Oakland Mills and Town Center, the bridge has been an important thoroughfare for residents since it opened in the 1983.

In recent years, however, officials said the bridge drew concerns about safety.

"For too long, this key connection in Columbia was neglected,” County Executive Allan Kittleman said in a statement. “With Columbia having just turned 50, we needed to ensure our infrastructure is meeting the demands of this community."

After studying the bridge, Howard County officials solicited input and found the clear choice among the community as far as design was a geodesic dome, which has since been installed.

In addition to putting the spiraling geodesic tube around the bridge, the county updated lighting. Currently, Howard County is upgrading security cameras so police can see clearly from the bridge.

To recognize the significance of the improvements, Kittleman said the bridge was being renamed.

"With these improvements completed, I think it is important we recognize the value this crossing holds as it connects two of our most treasured villages, Oakland Mills and Town Center, by designating it as Bridge Columbia," Kittleman said.

Here was the time line for the project, according to Howard County government:

• 1983 — Bridge opens
• 2014 — Study of bridge begins
• 2015 — Bridge study completed
• 2016 — Public input period
• 2016 — Design study complete
• 2017 — Renovations begin
• 2018 — Renovations complete

"We are excited County Executive Kittleman made it a priority to improve this vital link between Oakland Mills and Downtown Columbia.," Ginny Thomas, Oakland Mills Columbia Council representative, said in a statement. "It is essential to revitalizing our community. We sincerely appreciate the collaborative approach he took with the community in making this project a reality.”

Columbia Patch reported in January 2012 that the group Bridge Columbia had recently created a website advocating for improvements to the structure. Now, more than six years later, the leaders of the group continue to call for the bridge to be used by buses as a shortcut.

"The Friends of Bridge Columbia are extremely grateful to County Executive Kittleman for spearheading this improvement to the pedestrian bridge linking east and west Columbia over US 29,” Fred Gottemoeller, of Friends of Bridge Columbia, said in a statement. “We remain hopeful that our state and local leaders will continue their collaborative work by supplementing the existing bridge with some provision for buses, so that transit users can also benefit from this important shortcut.”

RELATED:

• Route 29 Bridge Construction Underway
• A New Bridge For Columbia? One Group Hopes So

Photos courtesy of Howard County Government.