News Release

Lander Lock Bridge closed to vehicles 

Date: December 19, 2025
Contact: Christiana Hanson, 301-491-6265

POINT OF ROCKS, Md. — On Thursday December 18, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park closed the Lander Lock (Lock 29 at mile marker 50.8) Bridge to vehicle traffic. The bridge will remain open to bicyclists and pedestrians. During a recent inspection, engineers discovered the bridge‘s steel is in a state of advanced corrosion. The bridge carries the road over the historic stone lock and canal to a boat ramp located along the Potomac River – the boat ramp will be inaccessible to vehicles during the closure. The parking lot at Lock House 29 remains accessible for vehicular parking.

The bridge is anticipated to remain closed to vehicles until the section loss to the beams are analyzed and evaluated further by bridge engineers.

The nearest alternative boat ramps within the park are approximately 15 minutes away at Point of Rocks to the south and Brunswick to the north. Check online to see recreational opportunities at each milepost along the canal. This closure does not affect the towpath or through riders on the towpath.

For any questions, please call 301-739-4200, option 0, to speak with park staff. For park information visit the park website www.nps.gov/choh.

-NPS- 

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