Despite pleas from federal lawmakers, Md. on track to demolish old Nice Bridge – Maryland Matters

High Maryland Transportation Authority leaders have signaled that they intend to tear down the present Good/Middleton Bridge in Charles County as quickly because the substitute span opens to visitors.

That demolition will come over the objections of Maryland’s two U.S. senators and U.S. Home Majority Chief Steny Hoyer (D).

Hoyer and Sens. Ben Cardin (D) and Chris Van Hollen (D) requested Transportation Secretary Jim Ports in July to delay motion lengthy sufficient to permit for an “unbiased” research of the potential re-use of the span for leisure actions.

“With the work on the brand new Harry W. Good/Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge throughout the Potomac River continuing quickly, we urge the State to rethink plans to demolish the outdated bridge, and halt any instant efforts to take action,” the lawmakers mentioned in a letter.

“These plans mustn’t proceed till a research will be carried out on the feasibility in addition to the monetary and environmental prices and advantages of changing the outdated bridge to a non-motorized path that might be utilized by pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Bicycling advocates have urged the state for years to not demolish the present span. When Gov. Larry Hogan (R) unveiled plans to construct a substitute bridge, he pledged that the brand new one would have separate bike and pedestrian lanes. These plans have been later dropped in a cost-cutting transfer.

Throughout a prolonged dialogue on the July assembly of the authority’s board of administrators, Ports and Maryland Transportation Authority Govt Director Will Pines mentioned the state supplied the bridge to Charles County freed from cost in 2019, however the county declined the provide. He mentioned King George County, Va., and the Commonwealth of Virginia each studied the thought of taking possession of the present bridge, however they weren’t both.

In his response to the three federal lawmakers, Ports pointed to an evaluation that discovered it might price practically $50 million to take care of the 80-year-old bridge for leisure use over the following 30 years. He additionally mentioned a change within the authority’s plans would require allow modifications. Maryland intends to sink items of the present span “for synthetic reef habitat enhancement,” he wrote.

“We’re creating acres of synthetic reef that may present habitat for oysters, fish, et cetera,” Pines instructed the board. “So it’s an unlimited profit to the [Chesapeake] Bay.”

Of their letter to Ports, the lawmakers famous that Maryland is poised to spend between $15 million and $23 million to demolish the unique span, cash that might be saved if current plans have been put aside.

In the course of the public testimony interval, Eric Brenner, the previous head of the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, accused the MdTA board of speeding to get the demolition course of to a degree the place the state’s subsequent governor can’t reverse it.

He praised the lawmakers for suggesting that Maryland “wait on the demolition till you will get any person with expertise within the repurposing of bridges for leisure use,” he mentioned. “MdTA does plenty of nice issues. This isn’t one in all them.”

“I do know MdTA actually likes working out right here by yourself island,” he added. “It’s not too late to strive one thing completely different.”

Pines instructed the board that the authority has already begun “some demolition actions on parts of the present bridge,” even because it continues to hold visitors. “This work began previous to receiving the congressional delegation’s letter,” he mentioned. “However it’s been restricted to areas the place it doesn’t affect the upkeep of visitors…”

The brand new bridge is anticipated to open in early 2023.

The state’ present allow permits for the present bridge to be dismantled, however Pines instructed the board that blowing up the outdated span would get monetary savings, although it might require the authority to navigate a fancy environmental overview. “As you’ll be able to think about, in case you take one thing aside piece by piece, it’s dearer than instantaneously dropping it,” he mentioned.

Brenner mentioned the company seems decided to punt that call to the following governor.