4th Street Bridge Update
The Town of Oakland is providing the latest update on the planned replacement of the 4th Street Bridge. While the Town recognizes that this structure has remained a persistent concern for many residents, the project continues to be delayed by required state and federal permitting processes that are outside the Town’s direct control.
At this time, the Joint Permit Application (JPA) has been completed and is pending final submission to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Before that can occur, the Town must receive two outstanding letters of approval from adjacent property owners to allow access around the bridge site. Once those letters are received, the permit will be formally submitted for review.
In addition, the grading permit application has been submitted and payment remitted to the Soil Conservation District. Due to the bridge’s impact on stream hydraulics, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is also involved in the review process. Their approval will include a public comment period and is expected to significantly influence the project’s overall timeline.
The engineering team contracted by the Town is coordinating with the selected bridge supplier, Contech, to obtain an updated proposal and initiate technical shop drawings for the new structure. Simultaneously, the county’s bridge coordinator is working with the gas utility company regarding the relocation of a gas line that currently runs beneath the bridge. The utility’s field representative has indicated that this relocation is not expected to cause delays, and the goal is to complete this work prior to bridge construction.
Assuming no major changes are required to the proposed design, the Town plans to initiate procurement for the new bridge as soon as the permitting is approved, with a target installation window in late summer or early fall 2025. The permitting timeline, particularly the federal review process, will remain the primary factor influencing this schedule.
Regarding Autumn Glory and temporary bridge access:
During the 2024 Autumn Glory Festival, a limited and controlled use of the existing bridge was permitted after an engineering analysis concluded that the center of the structure could temporarily support single-lane traffic for vehicles no larger than local delivery trucks. Traffic control personnel were stationed at both ends of the bridge during its use, and heavy vehicles were rerouted using Sand Flat Road and Route 135. Given the lack of a certified weight rating, the cost of a temporary signal system, and limited law enforcement capacity to monitor traffic, the Town has determined that it is not feasible to reopen the bridge for general public use at this time.
The Town of Oakland shares the community’s desire to see this project completed and is actively working to move the process forward as quickly as the regulatory environment allows. Further updates will be provided as permitting milestones are reached.