La Plata, MD – When the Maryland Department of Natural Resources proposed putting a kayak launch and hiking trail in Cobb Island, citizens came out in droves Feb. 28 to rail against such a notion.
So when the Maryland State Highway Administration suggested a lighting project for a new bridge proposed to span Neale Sound, Charles County Commissioner Ken Robinson [D-District 1] wanted to make sure the community was aware of it.
“Given the comments about the kayak launch, I think we should hold a public hearing to make sure the community is on board with it,” Robinson noted.
The Charles County Commissioners voted unanimously to send the proposal to public hearing July 11 at 6 p.m. at the Governmental Building in La Plata.
“State highway is in a design stage now for the bridge,” said Charles County Director of Public Works Bill Shreve. “A sewer line has to be moved with the bridge and a water line,” he added.
The project also includes a pedestrian walkway. Shreve said the project is estimated to cost $118,000.
“There is funding available for the project,” Shreve added. “We also wanted to ask the question, should we vet this through some of the citizens?”
“If you recall, when the state determined they wanted to replace the Cobb Island Bridge, they suggested a kayak launch and we heard overwhelmingly that the citizens did not want those amenities,” Robinson said. “Another thing we heard was how dangerous it is to walk over the current Cobb Island Bridge. I would suggest another public hearing to make sure this is what they want.”
“The state does the design and they have their own preferences,” Shreve said.
“If we can get something clearer for people to read, that would be good,” Robinson suggested.
The public hearing is set July 11 at 6 p.m. at the commissioners meeting room.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com