This just in from the U.S. Coast Guard:
All interested parties are notified that the Commander, Coast Guard East District has received a proposal from the AMTRAK with plans for a replacement of existing railroad drawbridges over a navigable waterway of the United States at Bush River, mile 6.8, between Perryman and Edgewood, MD and Gunpowder River, mile 78.86, at Chase, MD.
Mariners are requested to provide navigational information, such as the sizes and types of vessels presently owned and operated on the waterways and nature of navigation (including the extent of nighttime navigation) on the waterways. Mariners are requested to comment on the navigational clearances and need for bridge protective systems, clearance gauges, and navigational lighting on the proposed bridge. Interested parties are requested to express their views, in writing, on the proposed bridge project, giving sufficient detail to establish a clear understanding of their reasons for support of, or opposition to, the proposed project. Comments will be received for the record at the office of Commander (dpb), Coast Guard East District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704-5004 at D5Portsmouth-BridgesPublicNotice@uscg.mil through June 11, 2026.
The preliminary design period of the Amtrak Bridge replacement projects over the Gunpowder and Bush Rivers are about to begin. Before any work can commence, the Coast Guard first wants to hear from those who navigate under the bridges the most. If you regularly traverse under the former draw bridges, send your comment to the Coast Guard to let them know how tall the bridges need to be so you can pass, how often you traverse the crossing at night so they know how to light the bridges, and what kind of gauges and protective systems you think might be necessary. If you’re planning on boating below the bridges in the future, they’d love to hear from you too.
Check out the details of the proposed plans using the links above, and email your comment to the Coast Guard Commander (D5Portsmouth-BridgesPublicNotice@uscg.mil) no later than June 11th.
