HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. — An Amtrak contractor has completed the removal of 10 bridge piers dating to 1866 from the Susquehanna River, a required move in advance of construction of new bridges connecting Havre de Grace and Perryville, Md.
Contractor Fay Construction began the process earlier this year and completed it in November, Amtrak announced in a press release. The company also salvaged some stones from the piers at the request of the two communities; they include a block engraved with the date 1877 to commemorate improvements to the bridge, which had its superstructure removed decades ago. Removal of the piers, a boating hazard, was identified in the environmental review process as a necessary step in advance of building a pair of two-track bridges that will replace the current two-track bridge.
The current Susquehanna River Bridge dates to 1906 and handles about 110 Amtrak, MARC commuter rail, and freight trains daily. It is the longest movable bridge on the Northeast Corridor. The new bridges will allow for expanded rail service and raise speeds across the bridge from 90 to 160 mph. The final design process is under way, and major construction is expected to begin in mid- to late 2025. Completion is estimated for 2036.
More details on the bridge project are available here.
I’m surprised that the “historic preservation” types didn’t sue to ban the removal of the piers…
Twelve years seems like an inordinately long time to build a pair of simple bridges. I guess a good chunk of time is needed to just get the permits.
The article said “major construction is expected to begin in mid to late 2025”. To me that sounds like the workers will be on site then. That’s probably too optimistic but that’s what was said.
Once construction starts, one would think it doesn’t take 10 years or so to build them. But government projects that fall under “Prevailing Wage” requirements tend to take longer then those that don’t.