Old Ferry Landing area to close for construction

BERLIN, Md. – Starting this weekend, the Old Ferry Landing Area on Assateague Island will be closed for construction.

We’re told the closure, which goes into effect at 5 p.m. Sunday, September 18th, will be in effect from the intersection of Bayberry Drive and Old Ferry Landing Roads. The closure will include vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, and the area of Old Ferry Landing will also be closed to all boat and kayak landings.

During the closure, the current bulkhead at Old Ferry Landing will be replaced and raised. The boardwalks around the landing will also be replaced, and the connection to the marsh boardwalk will be rerouted and raised. Other minor work will also be done in the parking lot area.

We’re told the project is necessary because of the deteriorating condition of the bulkhead and boardwalk and the constant maintenance needed, especially in the winter. After every winter storm, officials say pieces of the boardwalk detach and end up in the bay or in the parking lot, requiring periodic closures and maintenance. Even a strong southwest wind can sometimes cause damage to the current facilities.

Park officials say this project was funded by park entrance and pass fees and is an example of the public’s fee dollars at work. 80% of all revenue from Assateague Island National Park Entrance fees or the local sales of the various Federal Interagency Passes stays right in the park to fund this type of project. The other 20% goes into a fund that can be used by parks with no entrance fee or very low fee revenues.

Later this winter, major renovations are slated for the Life of the Marsh and Life of the Forest Trails to make them more accessible, safer, and longer lasting.

Officials say the length of the closure is difficult to predict at this time, as construction is very weather dependent. It can be expected that the area will be closed at least into November and possibly to the end of the calendar year.