Replace Edwards Ferry, Dargan, & Fifteen Mile Creek Bridges

The existing bridge at Fifteen Mile Creek that is to be replaced as part of this project.

NPS | Joe Reed, Park Engineer

1) Edwards Ferry (mile 30.8)

• Towpath - Local Detour in effect starting September 11, 2023

• Boat Ramp, Parking Lot - CLOSED starting September 11, 2023

2) Dargan Bend (mile 64.9)

• Towpath - Local Detour in effect starting September 25, 2023

• Boat Ramp - CLOSED starting September 25, 2023

3) Fifteen Mile Creek (mile 140.8)

• Towpath - Local Detour in effect starting on or around October 25, 2023

• Boat Ramp, Parking Lot, Campground - CLOSED starting on or around October 25, 2023

The park plans to replace three public vehicle bridges at Edwards Ferry, Dargan Bend, and Fifteen Mile Creek. Both the bridges at Dargan Bend and Fifteen Mile Creek show signs of deterioration and have reached the end of their service life. As a reminder, users should abide by any posted load restrictions when crossing any bridges in the park. At Edwards Ferry, the temporary bridge, previously installed as an interim repair measure, will be removed and replaced with a permanent structure during this project.

The project aims to increase visitor safety and provide a more sustainable method of accessing these recreational areas by removing the existing bridges and replacing them with new foundations and steel/wood superstructures. These new bridges are designed for modern vehicles loads that will better serve park operations, emergency responders, and park visitors. 

 

What is the P.L.A.N. ?

Purpose? [Why are we undertaking this project?]

To replace three existing vehicle bridges in order to establish a safer and more reliable method of carrying pedestrians and vehicles over the C&O Canal to gain access to the Edwards Ferry Boat Ramp, Dargan Bend Boat Ramp, and Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp and Campground.  

Length? [When are we closing, and how long?]

The project is anticipated to begin mobilization in Summer 2023, with closures starting in Fall 2023 and extending into Spring 2024, weather dependent. Work at each site is currently anticipated at the following approximate timelines, weather dependent: 

• Edwards Ferry Boat Ramp – Mobilization July 2023, Bridge Closure expected Fall 2023 – Summer 2024.*
• Dargan Bend Boat Ramp – Mobilization August 2023, Bridge Closure expected Fall 2023 – Spring 2024.
• Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp & Campground – Mobilization September 2023, Bridge Closure expected Fall 2023 – Spring 2024. 

*During excavation early on in the construction phase at Edwards Ferry, historic bridge abutments were found below existing ground surface, which have necessitated a redesign of the new bridge to minimize the impacts to those historic features. NPS is actively working with the construction team on finalizing a schedule that portrays a realistic reopening schedule for that bridge.
 

Alternative Activities? [What can I do instead?]

During construction, the Edwards Ferry Boat Ramp, Dargan Bend Boat Ramp, and the Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp and Campground will be closed as the existing bridges are removed and the new bridges are installed. Towpath traffic for pedestrians will be maintained with local detours around the work area. 

Throughout construction you can still bike, walk, run, and fish along the towpath in all areas outside of the work zone. The towpath will still be accessible via local detours. There are many sections of the towpath to be explored! 

Alternative boat ramps can be found upstream and downstream of the impacted areas: 

• Alternatives for Edwards Ferry Boat Ramp include Sycamore Landing (mile 27.2) - hand-carried boats only - and Monocacy Boat Ramp (mile 42.2) 

• Alternatives for Dargan Bend Recreation Area include Brunswick Boat Ramp (mile 55) and Snyders Landing Boat Ramp (mile 76.6) 

• Alternatives for Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp include Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp (mile 124.5) and Spring Gap Boat Ramp (mile 173.3) 

Alternative campgrounds can be found upstream and downstream of the Fifteen Mile Creek Campground:

• Alternatives for Fifteen Mile Creek Campground include McCoys Ferry Campground (mile 110.43) and Paw Paw Campground (mile 155.8) 

Next Step? [What are the future benefits?]

The replacement of the Edwards Ferry, Dargan Bend, and Fifteen Mile Creek bridges will improve safety for visitors by providing an updated and more reliable method of accessing the park’s recreational areas. Emergency responders will be able to access the Potomac River with larger equipment, including pump trucks. Operations access for park staff and stakeholders will be upgraded to modern engineering standards. 

 

Edward’s Ferry Detour Map

NPS | Susannah Noppenberger, Park Engineer

 

Dargan Bend Recreation Area Detour Map

NPS | Susannah Noppenberger, Park Engineer

 

Fifteen Mile Creek Detour Map

NPS | Susannah Noppenberger, Park Engineer

 

CURRENT DETOURS AND CLOSURES

Above are three maps showing the project areas and the local detours that are in place. The detours divert traffic from the towpath and around the active bridge construction. Visitors are asked to follow the signage and dismount bicycles along these brief stretches.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What is the need for the project?

The existing bridges at Dargan Bend and Fifteen Mile Creek are experiencing significant deterioration and have reached the end of their service life. The bridge at Edwards Ferry is a temporary bridge previously installed as an interim measure while awaiting a permanent structure. To prevent future concerns and to ensure the safety of visitors and NPS staff, it is critical that these structures are replaced.

What does the project include?

The project consists of work removing the existing vehicular bridges at Dargan Bend and Fifteen Mile Creek, as well as the temporary steel spanner bridge at Edwards Ferry. These bridges will be replaced with new multi-beam steel bridges with steel beams, timber decking, and wood railings that will convey pedestrian, vehicular, and recreational boater traffic.

Additionally, an existing culvert and retaining walls beneath the roadway at Edwards Ferry will be rehabilitated as part of this project. The existing stacked stone masonry wingwalls will be repaired or rebuilt so that their characteristic matches the original. The asphalt approaches to the bridges will also be repaved prior to completion of the project.

 

Temporary steel spanner bridge at Edwards Ferry that is to be replaced with a permanent bridge as part of this project.

NPS | Joe Reed, Park Engineer

Where will the project take place?

This project will take place at Edwards Ferry (mile 30.8), Dargan Bend (mile 64.9), and Fifteen Mile Creek (mile 140.8).

When will the project begin and end?

The project is anticipated to begin Summer 2023 and continue through Spring 2024, weather dependent.

Work at Edwards Ferry will continue through Summer 2024, weather dependent. During excavation early on in the construction phase at Edwards Ferry, historic bridge abutments were found below existing ground surface, which have necessitated a redesign of the new bridge to minimize the impacts to those historic features. NPS is actively working with the construction team on finalizing a schedule that portrays a realistic reopening schedule for that bridge.

How will this project impact park visitors?

To facilitate the work, the Edwards Ferry Boat Ramp (mile 30.8), Dargan Bend Boat Ramp (mile 64.9), and Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp & Campground (mile 140.8) will be closed during construction. 

During Construction, there is no public parking available at Edwards Ferry or Fifteen Mile Creek, and the Fifteen Mile Creek Campground will be closed. A portion of the parking lot at Dargan Bend Recreation Area will remain open to the public. Through traffic on the towpath will remain possible for pedestrians via local detour routes.

How will this project benefit park visitors?

Once the project is complete, the new bridges will improve visitor safety by providing an updated and more reliable method of accessing the park’s recreational areas for pedestrian, vehicular, and recreational boater traffic. The adjacent historic structures in the project areas will also be protected and preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

How will this project impact natural and cultural resources?

Every project the NPS executes undergoes review by a multidisciplinary team to ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other federal, state, and local laws.

What is the park doing to protect those resources during the project?

NPS resource protection experts, engineers, and the contractor’s team will be monitoring the bridge, stone, and towpath work in these recreation areas, along with contractor’s operations and visitor safety during the project with the goal of safely protecting the environment surrounding the project. Every project undertaken by the NPS is conducted in compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other regulations.

How is the project funded?

The contract for the replacement of the Edwards Ferry, Dargan Bend, and Fifteen Mile Creek bridges was awarded in March 2023 for $3 million and was funded from the National Park Service’s Federal Lands Transportation Program.

Who can I contact if I have further questions regarding the project?

Additional questions are to be directed to the park headquarters at 301-739-4200.

 

The existing bridge at Dargan Bend that is to be replaced as part of this project.

NPS | Joe Reed, Park Engineer