06/06/2007

Workshops update U.S. 50 crossing plan
By Bob Lassahn

On June 1 and 2 the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) conducted a series of three informational public workshops on the U.S. 50 Crossing Study at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City. The latest in a series of workshops on the study, the field of alternatives regarding what might be done with the existing Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge, has been reduced to five.

Built in 1942, according to SHA the current U.S. 50 Bridge has a life expectancy of from 15 to 40 years depending upon the amount of repair work done in the future.

SHA Alternative 1 - No-Build means everything remains very much the same as now with only minor short term improvements at an estimated cost of $20 to $30 million. It is the baseline for comparisons.

Alternative 2 - Rehabilitation, involves rehabilitation of the existing U.S. 50 bridge, construction of a separate fishing pier, wider sidewalks and some aesthetic improvements. It carries a price tag of $130-$140 million. Alternatives one and two do not impact on any properties.

Alternative 4 - Fixed Span Bridge proposes a new 45 foot high fixed parallel span beginning just west of the existing bridge and possibly entering Ocean City south of First Street. Estimated cost is $355-$365 million and about 38 properties would be impacted.

Alternative 5 - South Parallel Bridge and Alternative 5a - North Parallel Bridge both propose new parallel spans, with both tying in on the Ocean City end at Division Street. The new bridges would have a higher draw span (30 feet) to reduce the number of openings required. Alternative 5 is estimated to cost $335-$345 million and would impact 17 properties, while Alternative 5a is estimated at $315-$325 million and would impact 13 properties.

The SHA alternative numbers are as originally assigned and have been maintained.  Alternative numbers not shown have been deleted from consideration.

Detailed engineering and environmental analyses for each alternative are currently underway with results expected during the summer of 2007. A public hearing on location and design is anticipated by spring 2008 with selection of an alternative by summer 2008. A final environmental document and location/design approval could be complete by the summer of 2009.

SHA Project Team Manager Sue Rajan commented that about 50 people turned out for the workshops and notes that prior workshops were better attended. She says that elimination of some of the more controversial, earlier alternatives could have some bearing on attendance, but expressed appreciation for those who stopped in to fill out comment cards.

Ms. Rajan declined to comment if any of the alternatives seemed to be favored by those who attended, but did note that Alternative 4, the only fixed span bridge, was the subject of considerable attention during all three sessions.

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