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Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge

The Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge is a road bridge in northeast Maryland that crosses the Susquehanna River between Havre de Grace and Perryville via Garrett Island. It carries U.S. Route 40. It is the oldest of the eight toll facilities operated and maintained by the Maryland Transportation Authority, and the southernmost automotive bridge across the Susquehanna.

Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge
Hatem Bridge in autumn 2023
Coordinates39°33′38″N 76°05′23″W / 39.56056°N 76.08972°W / 39.56056; -76.08972
Carries4 lanes of US 40
CrossesSusquehanna River
LocaleHavre de Grace, Maryland and Perryville, Maryland
Named forThomas J. Hatem
Maintained byMaryland Transportation Authority
ID number300000H-Z040010
Characteristics
DesignSteel Truss - Thru
Total length7,624 feet (2,324 m)
Width47.9 feet (14.6 m)
Longest span456 feet (139 m)
Clearance above16.0 feet (4.9 m)
Clearance below86.9 feet (26.5 m)
History
Construction startFebruary 1939
Construction endAugust 1940
Construction cost$4.5 million
OpenedAugust 28, 1940; 83 years ago (August 28, 1940)
Statistics
Daily traffic30,217 (in 2010)
Toll$8.00 (eastbound) (E-ZPass), $6.00 w/Maryland-issued E-ZPass
Location

It is named for Thomas J. Hatem, whose long involvement in Harford County politics (as a Democrat) includes one term in the Maryland House of Delegates, a long stint as a county commissioner, service as state insurance commissioner and six years on the Public Service Commission.[1]

Background edit

The bridge was far from the first crossing of the Susquehanna River between the Harford County community of Havre de Grace and the Cecil County town of Perryville. A succession of ferries made the trip for more than 200 years, and two railroad bridges were constructed during the last half of the 19th century. The first vehicle bridge was converted from a railroad bridge constructed in 1873. It opened in 1910, and was operated by a group of private citizens as a toll facility until 1923.

The State Roads Commission (SRC), predecessor of the Authority, bought the bridge in 1923 and continued to operate it as a toll facility. The structure was extremely narrow, with a roadway only 13 feet (4.0 m) wide. Heavy trucks inched past each other, and there were many side-swiping accidents on the bridge. Traffic usually moved at a snail’s pace. To alleviate the problem, the SRC in 1926 built a second deck over the old bridge, converting each level into a crossing for one-way traffic. This project was considered one of the most ingenious bridge-engineering feats of the time. Then new problems surfaced. The new deck had a vertical clearance of 12.5 feet (3.8 m) — barely sufficient to accommodate the growing number of commercial vehicles traveling the bridge in the 1930s. Frequently, trucks stacked too high with freight became wedged between the deck and the overhead structure and could proceed only after their tires were deflated to allow adequate clearance. The need for a newer, more modern structure became apparent in the mid-1930s.

At the same time, the Maryland General Assembly authorized the State Roads Commission to formulate a comprehensive plan for the construction of bridges and tunnels across major bodies of water in Maryland. These projects would be financed and operated through toll funding. The plan developed by the SRC was ratified by the United States Congress in 1938 under its regulatory powers over navigable waterways. The plan became known as Maryland’s Primary Bridge Program and provided, among other projects, for the construction of a bridge across the Susquehanna River parallel to the overtaxed double-decker structure. Construction of this new span, which was designed by the J. E. Greiner Company,[2] began in February 1939 and was completed at a cost of $4.5 million.

 
Postcard image c.1940s

Operations edit

The bridge, named the Susquehanna River Toll Bridge, opened to traffic on August 28, 1940. The obsolete double-decker bridge was later demolished (there was an effort to keep it for local traffic, but then its steel was taken for the war effort). The first toll collectors at the bridge were all men; this changed as World War II drew men to military service and women took over traditionally male-dominated jobs.

Exact-change lanes were a novelty in toll collection when they were installed at the bridge in 1958. Their contribution to efficient toll collection was overshadowed in 1976 with the introduction of AVI (Automatic Vehicle Identification) decals. AVI works on the same principle as automated checkouts at retail stores, and the decal itself looks like a large universal-product code symbol commonly found on many items.

The bridge was renamed after Thomas J. Hatem died in 1985 at age 59;[1] the official renaming took place in May 1986.

In 1991, a one-way toll collection system was introduced, and the $8.00 toll is now collected in the eastbound direction only. The barcode decal, for $10, is no longer issued. Motorists may purchase the Thomas Hatem Bridge Plan for a Maryland E-ZPass. This plan costs $20 for 12 months' unlimited use. In April 2019, MDTA announced that the bridge will become a cashless toll facility by October 2019. With this system, customers without E-ZPass will pay using video tolling.[3] Cashless tolling began on the bridge on October 16, 2019.[4]

In 2012, Harford Transit introduced bus service across the bridge, linking Havre de Grace and Perryville.[5]

Bicycles were long prohibited on the bridge, which lacks a safe shoulder. On July 1, 2016, the bridge opened to bicyclists, along with lights to warn drivers about bicycles in the travel lanes.[6] Initially, bicyclists were allowed to use the bridge all week long, with limited hours on weekdays, but since September 6, 2016, bicycle passage has been restricted to weekends, holidays, and other designated dates. Bicycle usage in the first two months was minimal, but Maryland officials said the change was unrelated.[7]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Dresser, Michael (October 5, 2009). "Who is Thomas J. Hatem of bridge fame?". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  2. ^ Legler, Dixie; Highsmith, Carol (2002), , Crownsville, Md.: Maryland Historic Trust, p. 44, ISBN 1-878399-80-2, archived from the original on May 10, 2009
  3. ^ Fulginiti, Jenny (April 12, 2019). "Cashless tolls coming to Key, Hatem bridges in October". WBAL. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  4. ^ "Drivers Going Through Tolls At Hatem And Key Bridges Won't Be Able To Use Cash By Late October". Baltimore, MD: WJZ-TV. September 26, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  5. ^ . Harford County, MD Official Website. Harford County Government. Archived from the original on June 12, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  6. ^ Zumer, Bryna (July 1, 2016). "Mixed reaction to bicyclists using Hatem Bridge". The Aegis. Baltimore Sun Media Group. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. ^ Anderson, David (August 24, 2016). "Hatem Bridge bike riders will be limited to weekends, holidays starting Sept. 6". The Aegis. Baltimore Sun Media Group. Retrieved September 18, 2016.

External links edit

  • MdTA Thomas J Hatem Bridge Webpage
  • Hatem Bridge on Google Street View

thomas, hatem, memorial, bridge, road, bridge, northeast, maryland, that, crosses, susquehanna, river, between, havre, grace, perryville, garrett, island, carries, route, oldest, eight, toll, facilities, operated, maintained, maryland, transportation, authorit. The Thomas J Hatem Memorial Bridge is a road bridge in northeast Maryland that crosses the Susquehanna River between Havre de Grace and Perryville via Garrett Island It carries U S Route 40 It is the oldest of the eight toll facilities operated and maintained by the Maryland Transportation Authority and the southernmost automotive bridge across the Susquehanna Thomas J Hatem Memorial BridgeHatem Bridge in autumn 2023Coordinates39 33 38 N 76 05 23 W 39 56056 N 76 08972 W 39 56056 76 08972Carries4 lanes of US 40CrossesSusquehanna RiverLocaleHavre de Grace Maryland and Perryville MarylandNamed forThomas J HatemMaintained byMaryland Transportation AuthorityID number300000H Z040010CharacteristicsDesignSteel Truss ThruTotal length7 624 feet 2 324 m Width47 9 feet 14 6 m Longest span456 feet 139 m Clearance above16 0 feet 4 9 m Clearance below86 9 feet 26 5 m HistoryConstruction startFebruary 1939Construction endAugust 1940Construction cost 4 5 millionOpenedAugust 28 1940 83 years ago August 28 1940 StatisticsDaily traffic30 217 in 2010 Toll 8 00 eastbound E ZPass 6 00 w Maryland issued E ZPassLocationIt is named for Thomas J Hatem whose long involvement in Harford County politics as a Democrat includes one term in the Maryland House of Delegates a long stint as a county commissioner service as state insurance commissioner and six years on the Public Service Commission 1 Contents 1 Background 2 Operations 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksBackground editThe bridge was far from the first crossing of the Susquehanna River between the Harford County community of Havre de Grace and the Cecil County town of Perryville A succession of ferries made the trip for more than 200 years and two railroad bridges were constructed during the last half of the 19th century The first vehicle bridge was converted from a railroad bridge constructed in 1873 It opened in 1910 and was operated by a group of private citizens as a toll facility until 1923 The State Roads Commission SRC predecessor of the Authority bought the bridge in 1923 and continued to operate it as a toll facility The structure was extremely narrow with a roadway only 13 feet 4 0 m wide Heavy trucks inched past each other and there were many side swiping accidents on the bridge Traffic usually moved at a snail s pace To alleviate the problem the SRC in 1926 built a second deck over the old bridge converting each level into a crossing for one way traffic This project was considered one of the most ingenious bridge engineering feats of the time Then new problems surfaced The new deck had a vertical clearance of 12 5 feet 3 8 m barely sufficient to accommodate the growing number of commercial vehicles traveling the bridge in the 1930s Frequently trucks stacked too high with freight became wedged between the deck and the overhead structure and could proceed only after their tires were deflated to allow adequate clearance The need for a newer more modern structure became apparent in the mid 1930s At the same time the Maryland General Assembly authorized the State Roads Commission to formulate a comprehensive plan for the construction of bridges and tunnels across major bodies of water in Maryland These projects would be financed and operated through toll funding The plan developed by the SRC was ratified by the United States Congress in 1938 under its regulatory powers over navigable waterways The plan became known as Maryland s Primary Bridge Program and provided among other projects for the construction of a bridge across the Susquehanna River parallel to the overtaxed double decker structure Construction of this new span which was designed by the J E Greiner Company 2 began in February 1939 and was completed at a cost of 4 5 million nbsp Postcard image c 1940sOperations editThe bridge named the Susquehanna River Toll Bridge opened to traffic on August 28 1940 The obsolete double decker bridge was later demolished there was an effort to keep it for local traffic but then its steel was taken for the war effort The first toll collectors at the bridge were all men this changed as World War II drew men to military service and women took over traditionally male dominated jobs Exact change lanes were a novelty in toll collection when they were installed at the bridge in 1958 Their contribution to efficient toll collection was overshadowed in 1976 with the introduction of AVI Automatic Vehicle Identification decals AVI works on the same principle as automated checkouts at retail stores and the decal itself looks like a large universal product code symbol commonly found on many items The bridge was renamed after Thomas J Hatem died in 1985 at age 59 1 the official renaming took place in May 1986 In 1991 a one way toll collection system was introduced and the 8 00 toll is now collected in the eastbound direction only The barcode decal for 10 is no longer issued Motorists may purchase the Thomas Hatem Bridge Plan for a Maryland E ZPass This plan costs 20 for 12 months unlimited use In April 2019 MDTA announced that the bridge will become a cashless toll facility by October 2019 With this system customers without E ZPass will pay using video tolling 3 Cashless tolling began on the bridge on October 16 2019 4 In 2012 Harford Transit introduced bus service across the bridge linking Havre de Grace and Perryville 5 Bicycles were long prohibited on the bridge which lacks a safe shoulder On July 1 2016 the bridge opened to bicyclists along with lights to warn drivers about bicycles in the travel lanes 6 Initially bicyclists were allowed to use the bridge all week long with limited hours on weekdays but since September 6 2016 bicycle passage has been restricted to weekends holidays and other designated dates Bicycle usage in the first two months was minimal but Maryland officials said the change was unrelated 7 See also edit nbsp Transport portal nbsp Engineering portal nbsp Maryland portal List of crossings of the Susquehanna River Millard E Tydings Memorial BridgeReferences edit a b Dresser Michael October 5 2009 Who is Thomas J Hatem of bridge fame The Baltimore Sun Retrieved February 4 2014 Legler Dixie Highsmith Carol 2002 Historic Bridges of Maryland Crownsville Md Maryland Historic Trust p 44 ISBN 1 878399 80 2 archived from the original on May 10 2009 Fulginiti Jenny April 12 2019 Cashless tolls coming to Key Hatem bridges in October WBAL Retrieved April 13 2019 Drivers Going Through Tolls At Hatem And Key Bridges Won t Be Able To Use Cash By Late October Baltimore MD WJZ TV September 26 2019 Retrieved October 17 2019 Bus Routes Harford County MD Harford County MD Official Website Harford County Government Archived from the original on June 12 2017 Retrieved June 14 2017 Zumer Bryna July 1 2016 Mixed reaction to bicyclists using Hatem Bridge The Aegis Baltimore Sun Media Group Retrieved July 5 2016 Anderson David August 24 2016 Hatem Bridge bike riders will be limited to weekends holidays starting Sept 6 The Aegis Baltimore Sun Media Group Retrieved September 18 2016 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thomas J Hatem Memorial Bridge MdTA Thomas J Hatem Bridge Webpage Hatem Bridge on Google Street View Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Thomas J Hatem Memorial Bridge amp oldid 1181547744, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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