County advances study for Route 50 pedestrian bridge options; public information meeting Oct. 23

County presentations on Sept. 23 updated officials and the public on a feasibility study to connect two trail systems across U.S. 50 on Kent Island. The consulting team will present four options and cost implications at a public information meeting on Oct. 23 at the Kent Island Library.

Options identified in the study include a crossing from Love Point Park to Pier 1 Road, a crossing at the Route 8 overpass, an alignment near the Target/retail area that would not tie into an existing trailhead, and a connection near the library and school (a Cracker Barrel area option) that would create a direct trailhead link. The county said the consultant conducting the alternatives evaluation is the same firm engaged on the Bay Bridge alternatives work and that design will consider future bridge replacement and corridor needs so the pedestrian link would not be rendered unusable by later highway changes.

County staff said the project is expensive and will likely require a combination of grants, state capital support and local contributions; small state allocations can help advance design but larger construction funding would require state capital backing or bond/bill funding. County officials said they will pursue federal and state grants and that the study should clarify preferred siting and cost estimates to guide next steps.

Why it matters: a dedicated pedestrian link would connect recreational trails and provide a safer crossing for nonmotorized users on an otherwise high-speed corridor that currently lacks a consistent safe crossing.

Ending: The public meeting is scheduled for Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Kent Island Library; county staff urged residents to attend to review alternatives and provide input.