Federal Officials Approve Route 50 Bridge Alternative, But Project Likely Decades Away

OCEAN CITY — While construction could be nearly two decades away, federal transportation officials last week formally approved one of several alternatives for a new Route 50 Bridge into Ocean City, setting in motion a likely lengthy timetable for the replacement of the existing span.

After reviewing numerous impact studies for the multiple alternatives proposed, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) last week formally approved Alternative 5A for the future replacement of the aging Harry Kelley Memorial Bridge.

The FHWA formally entered its approval of Alternative 5A in the Federal Register. That step is the first of many in the long process, which includes final design, right-of-way acquisition of properties in the area and finally construction, which is targeted for the mid- to late 2020s if not later.
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