Community Opposition Strikes Down Hess Road Bridge Replacement

An unpopular proposal to —located on the border of Harford and Baltimore counties, near Monkton—isn't moving forward.

Instead, Harford County Department of Public Works engineers will , which include rebuilding the superstructure (deck) and strengthening existing abutments, said Hudson Myers, deputy director of the department.

"We think it'll be sufficient," he said.

Myers attributed strong community opposition for the project's rejection. At an hosted by Public Works, residents cited concerns such as destroying the rural character of the bridge and increased speeding.

Myers added that the bridge will remain a one-lane structure, and there are no plans to widen it.

Harford and Baltimore counties will divide the $300,000 cost of repairs evenly. If the plan to replace the bridge had come to fruition, the cost would have been $1.5 million with 80 percent coming from federal funds and both counties financing 10 percent each.

Harford County is leading the project because Baltimore County took the helm for the recent Jericho Road restoration project, which also affected both counties.

Myers anticipates that repairs will commence fall 2013, but isn't sure how long the effort will take.