Historic Bridge Needs New Home

Looking for a decorative feature for your backyard?  How about an historic bridge?

Maryland Highway officials hope to sell the Maryland Route 545 bridge over Little Elk Creek in Childs in Cecil County.

The steel pony truss bridge was built in 1932.  According to federal highway regulations, bridges that handle 5,000 vehicles or more daily have to be at least 32 feet wide. That's the problem. This one's only 27 feet wide.

It's apparently cheaper and less complicated to just take the bridge apart and sell it than try to widen it.

The span is available for purchase by any city or county government, historic preservation organization, bicycle/trail group,  non-profit organization, corporation or individual for reuse at a new location.

State funds may be available to cover some of the costs of moving the bridge.  

Now the catch.

The new owner is required to preserve the bridge according to established standards for historic bridges.

Anyone interested in buying the span should contact Fred Shoken in SHA’s Environmental Planning Division/Cultural Resources Section at 1-866-527-0502 or at fshoken@sha.state.md.us by March 15.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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