Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure.bridges topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Annapolis aldermen defer Far Creek Bridge maintenance review after key departments do not attend
Summary
At a July 22 meeting, Annapolis aldermen postponed a planned review of Far Creek Bridge maintenance after representatives from the city's public works department and the State Highway failed to attend; staff will be asked to invite those agencies to the September meeting.
At a July 22, 2026 meeting, the Annapolis Board of Aldermen agreed to postpone a planned review of maintenance and replacement options for the Far Creek Bridge after representatives from the city's public works department and the State Highway did not attend.
Alderman Alsop Johnson, who presided as chair, introduced agenda item ID 159-26 and said the board had convened to discuss the bridge’s recent problems. A lawmaker who requested the meeting said the item followed “three failures” on the structure over the previous two weeks and attributed those incidents to the recent heat.
“I requested this meeting after we had 3 failures on the Spot Creek Bridal over the past, over 2 weeks due to the heat,” the lawmaker said, adding that the structure “is kind of on its last legs.” The board focused on the need for technical explanation from public works and the State Highway to understand what went wrong and what steps are needed to keep the bridge safe.
Members confirmed no representatives from the city's public works department or the State Highway were present. Several aldermen said that without those officials the discussion could not move forward; one member called the meeting “pointless” in their absence.
The board instructed staff to invite both agencies to the next regular meeting. At the meeting a lawmaker asked, “Miss Jackson, if you could make sure that we invite them for our September meeting,” and the chair confirmed staff would do so. Members requested that public works and state officials bring photographs, expected lifespan estimates and a plan for maintenance or replacement when they appear.
Votes at a glance: Agenda approval — motion moved and seconded and approved by verbal “aye” votes (counts not specified). Minutes from the July 8, 2026 meeting — motion moved, seconded and approved by verbal “aye” votes (counts not specified). Motion to adjourn — approved by verbal consent (counts not specified).
The meeting ended with the board adjourning and staff tasked with scheduling the Far Creek Bridge item for the September meeting so that technical staff can attend and present.
