Bridges
I-81 bridge over the Potomac River
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) maintains an inventory of over 6,000 structures (bridges, culverts and retaining walls). The goal is keeping them in good repair and ensuring the safety and mobility of the citizens of Maryland.
The Office of Structures (OOS) administers the MDOT SHA bridge program. It consists of two major areas, the Structures Engineering Divisions and the Structures Inspection and Remedial Engineering Divisions.
Structures Engineering Divisions
The Structures Engineering Divisions designs all structures on the state-maintained system, including new bridges, bridge replacements, deck replacements, large culverts and retaining walls.
Structures Inspection and Remedial Engineering Divisions
The Structures Inspection and Remedial Engineering Divisions keeps state highway structures safe for the traveling public by regularly inspecting their condition, above and below water. The division provides structural analysis, routine and preventive maintenance, bridge painting and minor rehabilitation contracts that address structure needs.
Important Links
An interactive map showing publicly owned and maintained bridges across the state of Maryland, including those not owned by MDOT SHA.
The “poor” condition rating is an early warning sign to initiate preservation or replacement activities. SHA OOS addresses all its bridges that are rated poor. That means we’re in the planning, design, advertising (for contractors) or construction phase of a project, or are in rehabilitating the structure to bring it into a state of good repair.
The SHA OOS maintains several moveable bridges across the state. This link contains a chart with route numbers, time attended, phone numbers for attendants and additional information.
To honor Maryland’s engineering heritage and preserve the best of Maryland’s bridges across the state, MDOT SHA has identified a number of historic bridges to be Preservation Priority Bridges in our Historic Highway Bridge Program.
The Maryland State Roads Commission, the predecessor of MDOT SHA, retained the Baltimore-based Hughes Photography to photograph the construction of Maryland’s infrastructure from the 1920s to the 1940s.
Manuals and Publications
These guidelines reflect current practices for the planning of bridges and major structures within MDOT SHA administered contracts.
Here contractors will find structural details for common structural elements encountered in the development of plans for bridges and major structures within MDOT SHA administered contracts.
The Bridge Railing Manual documents national policy and practice; it emphasizes standards and practices that have proven successful in Maryland. This manual applies to all MDOT SHA administered contracts, as well as all contracts receiving federal funding through MDOT SHA.
The Office of Structures helps local governments develop bridge projects that utilize federal funding. This link provides guidance on the Local Government Program.
These are guidelines for using aesthetics in the design of highway structures.
Proprietary Sound Barrier Systems
- Approved List
- Approval Process for Sound Barriers
Proprietary Retaining Walls
- Approved List
- Approval Process for Retaining Walls
Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge Study
In 2022, MDOT SHA completed the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge Evaluation of Suicide Deterrent. A copy of the study is available
here.
Contact us
Contact the Office of Structures at 410-545-8061.