Vernon Road Bridge Replacement Could Begin in Summer 2012

A project to replace the Vernon Road bridge in White Hall could begin as early as the summer of 2012, according to the Baltimore County Department of Public Works.

The construction process is scheduled to last two to three months and is expected to cost $700,000 from county funds, DPW officials report.

"[The Vernon Road bridge] is in overall poor condition and beyond feasible rehabilitation," said Kevin Sabolcik, a representative of the department. "The substructure in particular has deteriorated to a serious condition. The bridge is classified as structurally deficient and is at the end of its service life."

Sabolcik said replacing the bridge, as opposed to rehabilitation, is critically necessary and the new structure should last for 75 to 100 years.

Public works officials plan to build a two-lane bridge that is 20 feet wide and 29 feet long, spanning the Second Mine Branch.

The road will be closed during construction and traffic will be detoured through an alternate route that has yet to be determined.

The department met with residents at a public meeting to discuss the project and address community queries on March 24, 2010.

Concerns included bridge width and a temporary crossing issue for a resident who has property on both side of the bridge, according to meeting notes provided by public works. 

Sabolcik said the bridge width was reduced as a result of a count, which found that traffic volume was lower than originally thought and the crossing issue with the resident has been resolved.

Meeting notes also indicate that officials plan to give the new structure a similar aesthetic finish to other bridges in Northern Baltimore County.