November 29, 2018

County Executive Kittleman announces completion of new and improved "Bridge Columbia"

ELLICOTT Metropolis, MD – Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman today announced the completion of improvements to the pedestrian bridge that crosses Route 29 in Columbia. The improvements included the installation of a new spiraling geodesic tube around the bridge, upgraded lighting and additional safe enhancements.

"For too long this key connection in Columbia was neglected," said Kittleman. "With Columbia having just turned 50, we needed to ensure our infrastructure is coming together the demands of this community. With these improvements completed, I remember it is important we recognize the value this crossing holds as it connects two of our most treasured villages, Oakland Mills and Town Heart, by designating information technology as 'Span Columbia'."

A feasibility study on bridge upgrades began in 2014 and was completed in 2015. Public meetings and opportunities for input were held in Fall 2016 and a design study was completed in December 2016. The spiraling geodesic tube was the clear community choice amidst four options for the bridge.

"We are excited County Executive Kittleman made it a priority to improve this vital link betwixt Oakland Mills and Downtown Columbia.  It is essential to revitalizing our community," said Ginny Thomas, Oakland Mills Columbia Quango Representative. "Nosotros sincerely appreciate the collaborative approach he took with the community in making this project a reality."

In addition to enhanced lighting, the Canton is in the process of upgrading the security cameras to allow the police force section to access clearer images from the bridge.

"The Friends of Bridge Columbia are extremely grateful to County Executive Kittleman for spearheading this comeback to the pedestrian bridge linking eastward and west Columbia over US 29," said Fred Gottemoeller, of Friends of Span Columbia. "We remain hopeful that our state and local leaders will continue their collaborative piece of work by supplementing the existing bridge with some provision for buses, so that transit users tin also benefit from this important shortcut."

The pedestrian span opened more than three decades ago and it has been an important connection between Columbia'due south Town Heart and residential communities to the due east, including Oakland Mills and Long Attain. However, the chain-link argue around the bridge proved aesthetically unappealing and poor lighting contributed to the customs'south concerns most safe and security.

August 13, 2018

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The bridge is fully open, and finishing touches are existence put on the lighting. Because the bridge is once again open, the RTA omnibus passes issued for the bridge closure are no longer valid.

February 12, 2018

The bridge is now open from dawn until dusk equally the projection nears completion.

December 18, 2017

This week, the contractor volition be lifting the spiraling geodesic tube onto the span itself. Following this, the fencing on both sides of the span will exist installed, and the new lighting will be added. This work is expected to be completed during the month of January.

October 18, 2017

U.s. 29 pedestrian span work to resume October 26; bridge to be closed until early on December

ELLICOTT City, Md – The Howard County Department of Public Works today announced that work to meliorate the pedestrian bridge that crosses US 29 in Columbia will resume on Oct 26, resulting in the closure of the bridge until early on Dec. Work had been briefly suspended due to an intermission in the contractor's materials supply for the colored, spiraling geodesic tube that will surround the span.

In addition to the geodesic tube, the span improvement project includes the installation of new lighting and enhanced security upgrades. The pedestrian bridge opened more than three decades ago and has served equally an of import connection betwixt Columbia Town Eye and residential communities to the east, including Oakland Mills and Long Achieve.

The County will continue to distribute and honour complimentary omnibus passes for those traveling between the Oakland Mills Hamlet Center and The Mall in Columbia. Those passes may be obtained by contacting the Canton's Office of Transportation at 410-313-4312 or by email to transportation@howardcountymd.gov.

Additional data on the projection, including information on the alternatives for those who walk and wheel across the bridge, can be found on-line at www.howardcountymd.gov/US29Bridge.

September 25, 2017

Us 29 Pedestrian Bridge to be reopened for the month of October

ELLICOTT City, MD – The Howard County Department of Public Works has been informed that a contractor's difficulty in securing materials needed to manufacture the new spiraling geometric cage for the Us 29 Pedestrian Bridge has led to a delay in the completion of the project. Because of that supply delay, the span will be re-opened in the morning on September 27 and will remain open daily from dawn until dusk until construction resumes.

The County will go along to distribute and honor omnibus passes for those traveling between the Oakland Mills Hamlet Center and the Mall in Columbia, during the time the bridge is re-opened.

The bridge volition be closed again in early November and the project is at present slated to exist completed in early Jan.

Additional data about the US 29 pedestrian bridge project is available online at world wide web.howardcountymd.gov/US29Bridge.

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September 5, 2017

UPDATE: THE US 29 PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE IS Now CLOSED. See below for data about the closure and how to get around without it.

A Howard County construction project to raise the US 29 pedestrian bridge in Columbia is expected to begin on or about Tuesday, September 5. The project will replace the bridge'due south existing fence structure with a colored, spiraling geodesic tube around the bridge. New lighting and enhanced security features will be also installed every bit part of this project. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late November.

The pathway from the Stevens Forest Route trailhead to the bridge will be closed for the duration of the project. In addition, a section of pathway on the west side of US 29 leading to the bridge will be airtight. A temporary protective structure will be synthetic where the span passes over the pathway to ensure the rubber of pathway users.The projection will implement the following mitigation measures for pedestrians and cyclists:
• Complimentary bus passes valid for RTA jitney service betwixt the Oakland Mills Village Middle and Downtown Columbia to individuals whose essential transportation needs will be impacted by the temporary closure of the bridge. To obtain a pass, individuals should contact the Part of Transportation at (410) 313-4312 or e-mail transportation@howardcountymd.gov.
• Guiding bridge users to CarpoolNow, a smartphone app to aid people find a carpool.
• Developing a signed bike route using the Seneca Drive bridge.

More information well-nigh the project and the mitigation measures is available at the projection website, www.howardcountymd.gov/US29Bridge. Advisory signs will advise pedestrians and cyclists of the project and alternate routes. Periodic single-lane closures and shifts will be necessary to allow contractors to safely work to a higher place United states of america 29 during construction hours, weekdays from ix:00 a.m. to three:00 p.m.

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