Md. to sell historic Cecil County bridge

[February 04, 2010]  CHILDS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland highway officials have a bridge in Cecil County they want to sell you.

The State Highway Administration said the Maryland Route 545 bridge over Little Elk Creek in Childs is available to be purchased and reused at a new location. The state is willing to sell the bridge to a city or county government, historic preservation group, nonprofit, corporation or individual.

The new owner would be required to preserve the bridge according to established standards for historic bridges.

The steel pony truss bridge was built in 1932 and is 27 feet wide. Federal regulations require that bridges must be at least 32 feet wide to handle the traffic load that crosses the span daily.

State officials said it would be easier to take the bridge apart and move it than it would be to widen it.

[Associated Press]

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