Road Closure Planned Next Month For Pedestrian Bridge Demolition Project

COLUMBIA, MD — Drivers should anticipate a road closure and detour for a 12-hour span next month while a developer demolishes the pedestrian bridge spanning the Little Patuxent Parkway south of Wincopin Circle.

The demolition project is planned to start Aug. 11. The bridge connects the property at 10320 Little Patuxent Parkway with the surface parking lot near Whole Foods Market. Brookfield Properties conducted a structural assessment of the pedestrian bridge in 2022. The bridge, built in the early 1970s, spans 172 feet and is constructed of cast-in-place concrete. The assessment evaluated the general condition and safety of the bridge. While the bridge was deemed structurally sound in 2022, the extent and complexity of required repairs, combined with the age, unclear reinforcement type, and safety risks, indicated that the "demolition of the bridge replacement would be a more efficient long-term solution than an extensive and costly rehabilitation," county officials stated.

Once demolition of the current bridge is done, Brookfield Properties will start building an alternate path from the mall side of Little Patuxent Parkway and intersect at the Whole Foods traffic signal just south of the pedestrian bridge. At this intersection, a new signalized pedestrian crosswalk will be built on the south side of the intersection.

Signs will be posted to alert drivers and residents of the work and corresponding detour, since Little Patuxent Parkway between Wincopin Circle and the main entrance to Whole Foods Market will be closed in both directions from 8 p.m. Aug. 11 to 8 a.m. Aug. 12.