It didn’t take long to hear the groans from Kent County merchants and commuters this week as news leaked out that both the Chester River and the Schaefer Bridge over the C&O Canal on Route 213 will face weeks of intensive repairs in April.
The Chester River Bridge is going to be restricted to one lane only on weekdays for six weeks, starting April 18. To be clear, this is not the anticipated bridge closing set for July and August by Maryland State Highway Administration but repair work that needs to be done in preparation for the four-week bridge painting project. While the bridge is being painted, it will be closed completely.
Adding to this was the news cited in the Washington Post that the bridge on Route 213 over the C&D Canal (Schaefer’s Bridge at Chesapeake City) will soon face several months of alternating one-way traffic for several months, while it is repaired, refurbished, and re-painted.
Drivers are advised to look for alternative routes and visit local libraries to stock up books on tape for the next several months.
Joe Lill says
This would have made a good story on April 1st…..and Binny doesn’t like to cross narrow bridges!
Carla Massoni says
We need to reach out to our public officials to negotiate with the State anew. This is devastating news to local merchants just coming out of the slow winter months. The SHA is driving a stake through our fragile rural economy. There needs to be more coordination and communication.
Gren Whitman says
What’s the alternative to maintenance?
Does the state instead just let the bridges rot and rust and collapse?
If one-lane traffic for a short period is the price to keep the bridges intact, safe, usable, really, who can argue with this?
Carla Massoni says
The community responded with compromise and innovative ways to minimize the damage of the bridge closure. Only to have an additional 5-6 weeks foisted on us with no opportunity to prepare. There needs to be more coordination and communication.
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Monica Sella says
How did this info not get broadcasted until yesterday!? There were how many meetings about the bridge closing?
Karen Smith says
Yesterday’s announcement was a result of a briefing in town on Tuesday of SHA with local emergency services. It’s unlikely that State Hwy Admin. announced this before the meeting.