Colgate Bridge To Be Replaced With New $27 Million Span

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Like a chain, the Port of Baltimore is only as strong as its weakest link. And right now, there's a weak link between the port and the rest of the world.

Alex DeMetrick reports it's about to get strengthened.

As infrastructure goes, the Port of Baltimore is in good shape, loading and off-loading record amounts of cargo.

And it wouldn't be possible without the Colgate Creek Bridge on Broening Highway.

"We need that bridge to connect to 95, so these trucks can make it through without having to go all the way around," said Bill Cole, of Baltimore Development Corp.

Built back in the 1960s, the bridge has become a weak link in moving port cargo.

It won't keep up as larger ships bring in ever-larger and heavier containers.

"It's helping products make it to market," said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "To make sure that we shore up the bridge infrastructure is critically important to the continued growth of our port."

So critical, the U.S. Department of Transportation has brought grant money to help.

The city has already spent $600,000 just to maintain the bridge. The feds are now kicking in $10 million.

When coupled with the $17 million raised by the state and city, the Colgate Bridge will be replaced with a new $27 million span.

"It's going to be more efficient and you're going to have more jobs created as a result of having this connection," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

The money to replace the bridge is a drop in the bucket compared to money generated by the port.

"It's hundreds of millions of dollars in the local economy -- 130,000 plus direct and indirect jobs in the Baltimore Metropolitan area," said Cole. "The Port of Baltimore is one of our biggest economic engines and something we have to work to build."

Replacing the Colgate Bridge will be a multi-year project.