The fishing piers at Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park are closed in both Dorchester and Talbot counties due to structural safety concerns. Shoreline and trail access is open on the Talbot County side of the park.
An underwater inspection conducted in February 2022 found crumbling concrete in many areas of the structure below the water surface.
These defects can cause sudden failures, often with little to no warning, making the structure unpredictable and unsafe. Due to this evaluation and concern for public safety, the bridge piers will remain closed until further notice.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to providing safe public fishing access and will inform and engage the public throughout the planning process regarding this location. For more information and updates, check the DNR website.
They’ve neglected the maintenance for years.
Agreed
They neglect all maintenance on all bridges and roadways thruout all of Maryland
Just keep putting bandaids on everything.
Tear it down
That’s just what the state has planned to do since the new bridge was built next to it over 25 years ago; keep it looking okay on the surface while the underside rots. Apparently, fishing license revenues don’t cover fishing facility upkeep.
I think it’s a shame not to repair and keep the bridge open for fishing. It keeps people doing something worthwhile instead of out causing problems and killing people. There aren’t that many good places to go fishing.