BACKGROUND

Baltimore City and the Department of Transportation (DOT) engaged in a 6 ½ month pilot period with both Bird and Lime for the use of dockless vehicles (electric scooters and bicycles), on August 15, 2018, which expires on February 28, 2019. DOT has stated that the purpose of this pilot project is to allow the City to evaluate the potential benefits to the City and feasibility of deploying dockless vehicles in the City and to better understand what rules / regulations / laws are necessary regarding their use.

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Councilman Eric Costello and Councilman Ed Reisinger (10th District) met with the Director of DOT on Feb 26th to discuss the details of DOT’s commitment to repair the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Bridge on S Hanover St and make the road surface safe again. There is a three phase plan which includes the following:

1- IMMEDIATE REPAIRS – the bridge will receive a 2″ layer of rigid asphalt which will be smooth and safe, and should last 2-3 years. This will be laid by no later than end-May 2018, weather permitting (the hope is that it will occur sooner). The entire bridge will be resurfaced, curb-to-curb, with the exception of the draw span. This repair should cost approximately $500,000 and take 7-10 days to complete.

2- MID-TERM REPAIRS – the bridge will undergo an entire “re-decking” with new concrete surface. Work on that will begin in Spring of 2019. This will include removing the new asphalt which is to be installed this spring, structural work beneath the existing concrete deck, and installation of a new concrete deck. These repairs should cost approximately $7-8 million. While it would have been ideal for this work to start immediately, due to the very unique structure of the bridge underneath the deck, significant design work is necessary before actual work may begin, and the design is slated to begin in next two months. We have begun discussions with DOT to ensure this design includes dedicated pedestrian and cycle lanes, although this has not yet been determined.

3- LONG-TERM REPAIRS – the bridge is currently undergoing a US DOT TIGER funded study which is expected to be completed by summer of 2018. Once that study is completed, an environmental impact study will be completed. Several options will be presented as a result of these studies and DOT will then make a determination on how to proceed — there is currently no answer on specific repairs to be made, costs, or time-frames.. Long-term repairs could cost approximately $60-100 million and take 6-9 years.

• 2018.02.15 – VVM Bridge from Costello and Reisinger
• 2018.02.23 – VVM Bridge Response from DOT

Media Coverage

• Feb 26, 2018 – Bridge Woes | Hanover Street bridge awaits temporary fix – Fox 45
• Feb 26, 2018 – Hanover Street Bridge repairs to begin this spring, transportation director tells city councilmen – Baltimore Sun
• Feb 21, 2018 – Councilman demands action for Hanover Street Bridge – Fox 45
• Feb 21, 2018 – Baltimore bridge rebuild cost to exceed $100M – Fox 45
• Feb 21, 2018 – Baltimore Councilman Says ‘100 Percent’ Hanover Street Bridge Is Dangerous – WJZ 13
• Feb 20, 2018 – Baltimore officials: Hanover Street Bridge rebuild will cost more than $100 million – Baltimore Sun
• Feb 19, 2018 – Councilmen call for emergency repairs to Hanover Street Bridge – WMAR 2

The South Baltimore Parking Study, commissioned with Casino Impact Aid, covering the neighborhoods of Federal Hill, Federal Hill South, Otterbein, Riverside, Sharp Leadenhall, and South Baltimore is now available online here: South Baltimore Parking Study – Nov 13, 2017