Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge is a bridge carrying the traffic across the Susquehanna River
on U.S. Route 40
between Havre de Grace
and Perryville
via Garrett Island
in northeast Maryland
. It is the oldest of the eight toll facilities operated and maintained by the Maryland Transportation Authority
and is named for Thomas J. Hatem, a distinguished citizen of Harford County
, who devoted his life to public and civic service.
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, a railroad bridge was constructed during the last half of the 19th century, and a vehicle bridge opened in 1910. The 1910 structure, acquired by a group of private citizens who operated it as a toll facility between 1910 and 1923, was converted from a railroad bridge constructed in 1873.
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 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 dualized the bridge in 1926 by building 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 Co., began in February 1939 and was completed at a cost of $4.5 million.
The bridge opened to traffic on August 28, 1940, and the obsolete double-decker bridge was later demolished (there was an effort to keep it for local traffic, but then it was thought that its steel would be needed for the war effort). The new structure was known as the Susquehanna River Bridge. All of the first toll collectors at the bridge were men; however, with the advent of World War II
, men flocked 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.
In May 1986, the bridge was given its current name. In 1991, a one-way toll collection system was introduced, and the $5.00 toll is now collected in the eastbound direction only. Motorists may also purchase a barcode decal for $10 that is valid for unlimited crossings for 12 calendar months.
As prohibiting pedestrians or bicycles may create difficulties, the Maryland Transportation Authority may transport bicycles for a fee as a courtesy if manpower and time are available. As this operating policy is not official, non-motorists should call the bridge desk at least 24 hours in advance.
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
on U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 in Maryland
U.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
between Havre de Grace
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Havre de Grace is a city in Harford County, Maryland, United States. Located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of the Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace is named after the port city of Le Havre, France, which was first named Le Havre de Grâce, meaning in French "Harbor of Grace." As...
and Perryville
Perryville, Maryland
Perryville is a town in Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 3,672 at the 2000 census. The town is located off Interstate 95, on the north side of the mouth of the Susquehanna River.-History:...
via Garrett Island
Garrett Island (Maryland)
Garrett Island is an island located in Cecil County, Maryland, from the mouth of the Susquehanna River, directly west of Perryville and north of Havre de Grace. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The island is crossed by the CSX...
in northeast Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. It is the oldest of the eight toll facilities operated and maintained by the Maryland Transportation Authority
Maryland Transportation Authority
The Maryland Transportation Authority is an independent state agency responsible for financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining eight toll facilities, currently consisting of two toll roads, two tunnels, and four bridges in Maryland...
and is named for Thomas J. Hatem, a distinguished citizen of Harford County
Harford County, Maryland
Harford County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 244,826. Its county seat is Bel Air. Harford County forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area.-History:...
, who devoted his life to public and civic service.
Background
The bridge, however, does not represent the first crossing of the Susquehanna River between theHarford County community of Havre de Grace and the Cecil County
Cecil County, Maryland
Cecil County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is part of the Delaware Valley. It was named for Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore , who was the first Proprietary Governor of the colony of Maryland from 1632 until his death in 1675. The county seat is Elkton. The newspaper...
town of Perryville. A succession of ferries made the trip for more than 200 years, a railroad bridge was constructed during the last half of the 19th century, and a vehicle bridge opened in 1910. The 1910 structure, acquired by a group of private citizens who operated it as a toll facility between 1910 and 1923, was converted from a railroad bridge constructed in 1873.
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 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 dualized the bridge in 1926 by building 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
Maryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
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 Co., began in February 1939 and was completed at a cost of $4.5 million.
The bridge opened to traffic on August 28, 1940, and the obsolete double-decker bridge was later demolished (there was an effort to keep it for local traffic, but then it was thought that its steel would be needed for the war effort). The new structure was known as the Susquehanna River Bridge. All of the first toll collectors at the bridge were men; however, with the advent of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, men flocked 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.
In May 1986, the bridge was given its current name. In 1991, a one-way toll collection system was introduced, and the $5.00 toll is now collected in the eastbound direction only. Motorists may also purchase a barcode decal for $10 that is valid for unlimited crossings for 12 calendar months.
As prohibiting pedestrians or bicycles may create difficulties, the Maryland Transportation Authority may transport bicycles for a fee as a courtesy if manpower and time are available. As this operating policy is not official, non-motorists should call the bridge desk at least 24 hours in advance.