A century ago, Anne Arundel's county commissioners approved for service a new steel and wood bridge over Spa Creek, connecting downtown Annapolis and Eastport. The Sun reported on April 10, 1907, that the cost was $53,000.
The current bridge replaced the structure in 1947. Times had changed, driving the price tag up to $667,000 for the arching reinforced concrete and steel bridge, designed for foot, auto and truck traffic.
Two years ago, a $1 million state-funded sandblasting, lead-removal and paint job transformed the bridge, which spans the water in shades of eggplant and mauve.
[Source: Paul McCardell, Sun librarian.]