Governor's Bridge On The Patuxant

Reprinted from The DACA Villager
    So called, because that was the entrance from Prince George’s County for Proprietary Governor (1731-1742 and 1746-1752) Samuel Ogle, and his son Benjamin Ogle, ninth governor (1798-1801) of Maryland, owners of the Belair estate in Bowie, to reach Annapolis. The bridge has  served in its current location since the mid-18th century. Over the years, frequent flooding has closed it, but not
prevented it from being reopened for traffic. County employees put up road closure signs when it floods. Now it has been closed again for the past couple of years due to structural deficiencies
    Prince George’s County administration and Anne Arundel have been discussing its repairs in hope of restoring the bridge to automobile traffic while maintaining its historic appearance and protecting the river and its shore. What a challenge! Prince George’s held a public  meeting in Bowie on October 17, to which many residents  of Bowie were invited, none from Anne Arundel County.
A few residents of Double Gate, Patuxent River Road and Governors Bridge Road learned of the meeting and attended.
    Prince George’s officials presented six options for repairs.
 #1, do nothing; leave it closed.
#2, reconstruct it as is, at cost of $2.1 million, will not address flooding on the PG side.
#3, remove trusses, build a single-lane bridge, replace trusses, cost $6 million; will retain its appearance.
#4, replace the old bridge with a new dual-lane bridge, cost  $6.8 million; major environmental impact.
#5, leave the old bridge, build a new one-lane bridge next to it, cost $6.9 million; major environmental impact.
#6, leave the old bridge, build a new dual-lane bridge next  to it at cost of $7.7 million; major environmental impact.
    None of the options will prevent the river in flood from rising above the bridge road level.  DACA was told more than a year ago that the only possible option would be #1 or #2. PG officials invited concerned citizens to send comments to Prince George’s Project Manager Unmesh Patel at UCPatel@co.pg.md.us by December 3.
    DACA Vice president Ed Woods and Board member Jeff Bishop went to meeting. It seems that the residents of Anne Arundel (especially Davidsonville) really want the bridge reopened, but Jeff said, that of the Prince George’s people he asked, only one wanted the bridge reopened. Most of them like the quiet and less trash on the road. They fear that options 3, 4, 5, and 6 would increase the weight
limit so commercial traffic could use it, although the PG administration promised to place weight limits on it. DACA’s board plans to wait until new County Councils in both counties are in place before choosing the best, least bad option to weigh in. It is believed that the bridge will not be opened