TUNIS MILLS, Md. - The Leeds Creek Bridge in Tunis Mills will soon have a big makeover.
The Talbot County Council is in discussion to build a new bridge. It was built in the 1960's. The deck and pilings are made from timber, which has required several maintenance projects.
Pete Lesher, the President of the Talbot County Council says the bridge has reached its life expectancy. He says, "The bridge requires a lot of maintenance. The timber deck has particularly heavy vehicles roll across it. They'll pull up nails. They'll break boards. So, it's time."
The council will build a new bridge but Lesher says they still want to keep the history of the bridge alive within the project.
"The pilings which are wood now will become steel sleeves filled with concrete," says Lesher. "The deck will still be timber, actually laminated timber now. The railings will be timber. So to the eye, it will still have the look of a timber bridge even though the pilings are not."
Plans will then lay asphalt on top of the timber deck.
But Linda Heyman, takes issue with that part of that plan..
"I think it's the character of Tunis Mills and I would prefer they replace it with a wooden bridge. They're discussing an asphalt bridge but my concern with that would be people speeding over the bridge. They already do that with the wooden bridge and with an asphalt surface, I fear they'll go even faster."
However, neighbor Bill Sweitzer says this is the best option.
"You wont get the length of time out of the wood so with the asphalt overlay it cushions it and protects the wood. The two together, in a hybrid construction like that, is much better."
The project is estimated to be around $6 million in county and federal funds.
The council says the earliest we might see construction is Summer 2024.