Allow Bicyclists and Pedestrians to Use Hatem Bridge

from Jeffrey H. Marks

Sen Nancy Jacobs, Annapolis, correctly indicates that the local Hatem bridge that links Havre de Grace and Perryville, and allows fisherman and canoeists access to recreation, should remain affordable to motorists (see "Columnist Gets it Half Right on Proposed Toll Increases)". But Sen Jacobs also only gets it half right. What about people who can't afford a car, one car families, and other recreational users? Why aren't people allowed to walk or bicycle across this one mile bridge?

Transportation officials will chime in that the bridge was designed only for motorists, and that walking or bicycling is unsafe. But Interstate 95, less than a mile away, parallels the four lane Hatem Bridge. Trucks and through traffic should use the Interstate, and the Hatem should be reconfigured into a full service bridge for local traffic. Sidewalks and bikelanes should replace the outer lane on this local bridge that connects these two communities. The reconfigured Hatem Bridge would look similar to the two lane, full service bridge that bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists use to enter Annapolis near the Naval Academy.

An added benefit would be to remove a major barrier to the East Coast Bicycle Trail that needs to cross the Susquehanna River. Local residents would gain mobility by having other travel options besides driving. . Opportunities to exercise and see one's neighbors would be enhanced. And local residents could still drive across the Hatem. Slowing down from 45mph on the current bridge to say 30mph on the reconfigured bridge would add less than a minute to travel time. And having a two lane bridge instead of a four lane would encourage trucks and through traffic to use the Interstate instead of cutting through local communities.