What's Ahead for Susquehanna River Bridge Project?

A public meeting about plans for the Susquehanna River Bridge, which connects Havre de Grace and Perryville, is slated for Monday in Havre de Grace.

Study of the more than 100-year-old bridge has been going on as plans for reconstructing or rehabilitating it get underway.

The process began in 2011 when the Maryland Department of Transportation received a $22 million grant to conduct engineering and studies around high-speed rail on the Susquehanna River Bridge.

The bridge was constructed in 1906 and is currently a "chokepoint that precludes capacity increases on the Northeast Corridor," according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Recently, the Maryland Department of Transportation and Amtrak launched a website to provide information about the project to improve the bridge.

A study evaluating options like increasing the number of tracks, building new structures, enhancing the channel and reconstructing the approaches will be completed in 2017, according to Railway Track & Structures.

When considering the approach to the bridge, officials are evaluating 2.5 miles in each direction. The bridge enters Havre de Grace near Jean Roberts Memorial Park on Otsego at Water streets and David R. Craig Park on Saint John.

Mayor Wayne Dougherty told The Aegis that he has "a lot of concerns for our parks" in the context of the bridge project. The city has been doing work around the Jean Roberts boat launch area, where it installed tables and a railing. It also lobbied for Harford County to purchase land on Water Street for an extension of its parks near the bridge.

The public information session about the Susquehanna River Bridge study will have an open house format, so citizens can engage with the project team; there will not be a formal presentation.

The session will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 28, at the Havre de Grace Activity Center, 351 Lewis Lane, in Havre de Grace.

Related:

• State Gets Funding for New Train Bridge over Susquehanna River
• Amtrak Seeks Input on Susquehanna Railroad Bridge Project