ELLICOTT CITY, MD – A developer project to demolish the pedestrian bridge over the Little Patuxent Parkway, just south of Wincopin Circle in Columbia, is scheduled to begin on or about Monday, August 11th. The present bridge connects the property at 10320 Little Patuxent Parkway with the surface parking lot near Whole Foods Market. Weather permitting, the project is expected to take one day to complete. Brookfield Properties is overseeing this developer project.
Brookfield Properties conducted a structural assessment of the pedestrian bridge in 2022. The bridge, built in the early 1970s, spans 172 feet and is constructed of cast-in-place concrete. The assessment evaluated the general condition and safety of the bridge. While the bridge was deemed structurally sound in 2022, the extent and complexity of required repairs, combined with the age, unclear reinforcement type, and safety risks, indicated that the demolition of the bridge replacement would be a more efficient long-term solution than an extensive and costly rehabilitation.
Once the demolition is complete, Brookfield Properties will commence work to build an alternate path from the Mall side of Little Patuxent Parkway and intersect at the Whole Foods traffic signal just south of the pedestrian bridge. At this intersection, a new signalized pedestrian crosswalk will be constructed on the south side of the intersection.
Signs will be posted to alert motorists and residents of the work and corresponding detour, as Little Patuxent Parkway between Wincopin Circle and the main entrance to Whole Foods Market will be closed in both directions from 8:00 p.m., August 11th to 8:00 a.m., August 12th. During this time, motorists will follow a clearly marked detour around the closed area using Little Patuxent Parkway and Governor Warfield Parkway.
While the County and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, drivers are reminded to stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Please slow down and don’t follow too closely when traveling through a work zone. Remember, work zone safety is in your hands.
For questions or concerns about this developer project, contact Public Works Customer Service at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.