Harford seeks input for Hess Road bridge replacement

Harford County's public works department hopes to get some design suggestions from the public on a plan to replace the Hess Road bridge in the Monkton area.

A public hearing set at 6 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Fallston's Veronica Chenowith Activity Center will be a little different from the county's usual approach to such projects, Jeff Stratmeyer, the county's chief highways engineer, said.

The county has not hired a consultant, he said, and has no preliminary designs for the replacement bridge, which would span Little Gunpowder Falls on the county line, just west of Route 146.

The new bridge is expected to cost $1.5 million to $2 million. Design work is expected to start in 2012, Stratmeyer said.

The cost will be evenly split between Harford and Baltimore counties, but managed by Harford County because Baltimore County is taking the lead in work on another bridge over Little Gunpowder Falls: Jericho Road Bridge, set for major renovations next year.

"In this case, we are trying to be a little proactive and going out to the community ahead of time," he said. "Because it's sensitive, it's in a nice area, it's aesthetic, we want to make sure we are moving forward with putting out something nice."

Stratmeyer said he has already received some feedback on the plan to replace the 62-foot-long bridge.

"We have heard from a few people, yes, that they are concerned with putting in a wider bridge," he said.

He said the presentation at the public hearing will show a variety of possible designs for the bridge.

"Just because we are putting in a new bridge, doesn't mean it has to be a highway-looking bridge," he said.

For more information, contact the Department of Public Works at 410-638-3509, ext. 1375.