Ernstville Road Bridge

The Ernstville Road Bridge was constructed in 1930 to carry motor vehicles on Ernstville Road safely over the Western Maryland Railway. From 1904 until the construction of the bridge, vehicles traveling on the road between Ernstville and Big Pool had to cross the railroad tracks at grade, which was very dangerous. The one-lane metal girder bridge rested on two concrete piers and had a wooden plank deck. In its time, it was considered a great safety improvement. Its metal and concrete construction was stronger and more maintenance-free than a traditional all-wooden bridge would have been. With time, however, the metal corroded and the wooden planks deteriorated. It was no longer safe to use and had to be replaced. The present concrete culvert was constructed in 1997 as part of the development of the Western Maryland Rail Trail. It has been faced with stone to resemble traditional railroad tunnels seen throughout Western Maryland.

Ernstville, Maryland · United States