Residents voice opinions over Pocomoke bridge

The bridge running across Dividing Creek on Maryland route 364 has been ruled among the state's 67 structurally unsound bridges.

For about a year, designers and engineers have been at work crafting a project to replace the bridge that was built in 1933.

Supported by wood beams, the bridge is the main artery for vehicles traveling back and forth to and from Salisbury.  The estimate from the Maryland State Highway Association says about 1,100 vehicles use the bridge on a daily basis.

"The superstructure which is the beans that carry the deck and the substructure is in a condition that is a warning sign to the engineers to do some work," said Maurice Agostino, Deputy Director of Structures Engineering for the Maryland State Highway Association.  "The bridge is safe but it's time to start addressing it."

Agostino says closing the bridge entirely can lead to a 10 week project compared to a 6-9 month project keeping one lane open.  He argues closing the bridge can mean saving potentially millions of dollars to use on other bridges in need of repair.  Residents and business owners in the area see long commutes, and money out of the pockets of businesses in the area.

"It's going to affect the farmers, school bus drivers, loggers, feed trucks and everything else comes through that route.  It's the main route," said Hinson Finney who came to the workshop as a concerned resident.

A third option includes a temporary bridge built alongside the worksite.  Agostino raised multiple concerns over that idea.

"There's difficulties with that because of you go look at the site it's surrounded by swamps a lot of environmental impacts. Very difficult to build in that wet area."

The proposed detour would include routes 12, 13, 113 and 756.  Construction is scheduled to begin summer 2018.  There are no future meetings currently scheduled.