BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — In north Baltimore County sits a century-old bridge that’s showing its age. While dozens drive over it every day, several Cockeysville residents tell FOX45 they make a point not to.
“Obviously safety is extremely important,” one area resident said.
“I go to work a lot that way, but I have to bypass it,” another said.
Despite the inconvenience, they say a detour around the Warren Road Bridge is worth taking.
“When you’re going to Harford County, and you’re going the back way, now you got to go a whole different way. So it adds on about 45 minutes,” another said.
And their concerns go beyond its age. Since 2017, federal investigators have rated the 103-year-old bridge’s condition as “poor.” Over the last decade, it’s also been shut down on three separate occasions for emergency repairs. And yet, there’s still no firm timeline — or fully funded plan — to replace it.
“I think, I think it needs to get done before somebody gets hurt,” said an area resident.
Another saying, “You can’t take risks with people’s lives.”
What makes the bridge unique, and the repair process more complicated, is that even though it’s located in Baltimore County, it’s actually owned and maintained by Baltimore City. That’s because it crosses the Loch Raven Reservoir, which is part of the City’s water system.
In a statement issued late last year, the city’s Department of Public Works acknowledged, “the bridge is nearing the end of its useful life.” DPW went on to say, “The department has been advancing bridge design work, but full construction funding is not yet in place.” Since then, the State Highway Administration says it has yet to receive a formal request from the city for federal aid. Which could reportedly cover 80% of the costs.
“I’m completely unsatisfied,” said Baltimore County Delegate Ryan Nawrocki, “I have no confidence that that bridge is safe.”
Among the state delegates weighing in, Nawrocki says the bridge highlights the need for better coordination between the city and county. He also argues county residents have little leverage over city-owned infrastructure they rely on.
“If this was something that was in the city, I’m sure that they would be taking a much more aggressive approach. But because it’s in Baltimore County and because people can’t vote for Brandon Scott in Baltimore County, it is pushed to the wayside,” he said.
FOX45 reached out to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s office and DPW Wednesday, asking whether the city has applied for federal funding and, if not, what is causing the delay.
The mayor’s office did not directly answer those questions, but sent the following statement, pointing the finger at Baltimore County leadership:
The City has been actively engaged in discussions with Baltimore County and the State to identify a responsible, long-term solution.
While the City owns and maintains the Warren Road Bridge as part of the Greater Baltimore Watershed, the bridge primarily serves County residents, and therefore full restoration and repair of the bridge can only be completed in partnership with Baltimore County.
The City’s Department of Transportation has evaluated the bridge and determined it can continue to operate safely today. However, those same engineering assessments make clear that a long-term funding strategy is necessary to avoid future disruption to the regional transportation services the bridge provides.
We will continue to work closely with the County and State to plan for repairs to the bridge through a fair, regional funding partnership.
FOX45 also obtained a letter Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier sent to DPW this week urging the city to apply for federal funding to replace the bridge.
According to Klausmeier, Baltimore County cannot submit the application itself because the county does not own the bridge.
But the county is now raising the possibility of a larger change. In the letter, Klausmeier requested a meeting with Baltimore City “to discuss the future ownership and operation of infrastructure and recreation within the Loch Raven Reservoir property.”
For now, the cars continue to roll through, with any plans for a replacement bridge, seemingly, still far down the road.
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