After 175 Years, the Nation's First Railroad Bridge Could Get a Facelift
An update on the efforts to restore the Thomas Viaduct.
What do you get the national's oldest railroad bridge for its 175th birthday?
An estimated $1.7 million facelift is what railroad and conservation enthusiasts would like to give it.
Birthday wishes
In July, more than 500 people attended a celebration to commemorate the 175th birthday of the Thomas Viaduct, the oldest major railroad bridge in North America and the first built on a curved alignment. The day of festivities included live music, costumed telegraphers, Civil War re-enactors, mounted park rangers and N-scale model trains.
It also featured an announcement of restoration plans for the next 175 years.
The viaduct is still in use but is in much need of repair. To date, owner CSX has maintained the tracks and ensured that the train bridge is structurally sound but has not attended to its cosmetic needs.
The viaduct's granite is cracked and in some places, missing. Mortar needs to be replaced in joints, and vegetation has taken root in its many crevices. The once elegant wrought-iron railing along the viaduct is missing in numerous places.
Two-pronged restoration effort
Author Jim Dilts, who became interested in the Thomas Viaduct almost 20 years ago when penning his book The Great Road: The Building of the Baltimore & Ohio, has worked with landscape architect John Slater to spearhead the restoration efforts. Slater is vice president of the Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway, a group dedicated to cultural and environmental conservation in Elkridge and surrounding areas.
Dilts says there is a two-part plan. The first priority will be to see to the restoration of the viaduct itself. An estimated $1.7 million needs to be raised to cover the pressure-washing and re-pointing of the viaduct, along with the fabrication and installation of a new steel railing based on the original design. Attention also needs to be given to a nearby obelisk monument, which is located where the grand Viaduct Hotel once stood in Relay.
The second part of the plan is the creation of a $1.1 million overlook park at the north end of the viaduct, on a portion of the Patapsco Valley State Park. The overlook will be fenced off from the tracks and will include an orientation area. An access path from the lower level of the Avalon Area Welcome Station will connect to the overlook park.
Money needed before work can begin
Slater is working with State Delegate James E. Malone Jr. to draft a bill for a matching funds bond to raise money for the restoration and development of the overlook park.
When asked if the legislation for the bond would be on this year's session agenda, Slater said they would have a better idea after the elections. But, he added: "It took two years for the viaduct to be built 175 years ago, [so] we should be able to raise the necessary funds in the next two years."
Upon receiving funds, Slater estimates the restoration and development project should take a total of six months.
Fundraising efforts are being finalized. Those interested in donating to the restoration can send their contributions to Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway (Thomas Viaduct project); P.O. Box 96; Ellicott City, MD 21041 or email PatapscoFriend@gmail.com.
