Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally — Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-601 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–601LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies to all counties, except Baltimore City.
(b)
The governing body of a county has control over county bridges.
(c)
The governing body of a county may appoint civil engineers to oversee the construction and repair of county bridges.
(d)
A civil engineer appointed in accordance with subsection (c) of this section shall:
(1)
hold office for a term, with a salary, under a bond, and subject to regulations of the governing body of the county calculated to secure competent officers and a faithful discharge of duty; and
(2)
direct and manage the construction and repair of county bridges.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-602 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–602LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies to all counties, except Baltimore City.
(b)
This subtitle does not authorize the governing body of a county to build a bridge across a navigable river.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-603 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–603LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies to all counties, except Baltimore City.
(b)
The governing body of a county:
(1)
may build and repair bridges; and
(2)
shall impose a tax on the assessable property in the county necessary to pay for the building and repair of bridges, including embankments and abutments.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-606 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–606LinkCopy Citation
This part applies to all counties, except Baltimore City.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-607 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–607LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A person may request, by petition, that the governing body of a county build or repair a bridge.
(b)
A person who intends to submit a petition under this section shall give at least 30 days’ notice by publication once a week for 3 successive weeks in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county.
(c)
After hearing the reasons for and against a petition, the governing body of a county shall decide whether to approve the petition based on what will best promote the public convenience.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-608 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–608LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section does not apply to Cecil County.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if the cost of building or repairing a bridge under this part is more than $200, the governing body of a county shall:
(i)
build or repair the bridge by contract; and
(ii)
advertise a contract to build or repair the bridge in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county.
(2)
The advertisement required under this subsection shall specify:
(i)
the location where the bridge is to be built or repaired, including full specifications of the plan and materials; and
(ii)
that sealed proposals for building or repairing the bridge will be received until the date designated in the advertisement.
(3)
Notwithstanding any other provision in this article, the governing body of Dorchester County shall either:
(i)
authorize the appropriate unit of the county to build or repair a bridge; or
(ii)
award the necessary and appropriate contracts for all aspects of the building or repairing of the bridge in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, regardless of the cost of building or repairing the bridge.
(c)
If the cost of building or repairing a bridge is $200 or less, the governing body of a county may determine:
(1)
the manner of building or repairing the bridge; and
(2)
if the building or repair is by contract, the manner in which a contract is awarded.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-609 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–609LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
On the date designated in the advertisement for the contract to build or repair a bridge under this part, the governing body of a county shall open the bids.
(2)
The governing body shall award the contract to the lowest bidder that the governing body determines is qualified to build or repair the bridge.
(3)
The person awarded the contract shall provide the governing body a bond issued by an approved surety, in double the amount of the contract, conditioned on performance of the contract.
(b)
(1)
After notification by the contractor that the work is finished, the governing body of a county shall:
(i)
inspect the work; and
(ii)
if the governing body determines that the bridge is built or repaired in accordance with the specifications of the contract, the governing body shall take control of the bridge and open the bridge for public travel.
(2)
After the bridge is open for public travel, the contractor is entitled to receive the last installment due on the contract.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-610 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–610LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
A resident of a county may submit a written petition to the governing body of a county requesting that a bridge connecting that county to an adjoining county be built or repaired.
(2)
If the governing body determines the request for bridge building or repair is reasonable, the governing body shall request in writing the concurrence of the governing body of the adjoining county.
(3)
If the governing body of the adjoining county concurs, the governing body of each county shall:
(i)
appoint three independent examiners; and
(ii)
notify the governing body of the other county of the appointment.
(b)
(1)
The examiners appointed under subsection (a) of this section shall meet promptly to determine:
(i)
the advisability of building or repairing the bridge;
(ii)
the location of the building or repair;
(iii)
the building or repair plan;
(iv)
the materials required for the building or repair;
(v)
the estimated cost of the building or repair; and
(vi)
the portion of the cost of building or repair to be paid by each of the adjoining counties.
(2)
The examiners shall report the findings and recommendations made under paragraph (1) of this subsection to their respective governing body.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-611 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–611LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If the governing bodies of the adjoining counties approve the findings and recommendations of the examiners under § 12–610 of this subtitle to build or repair a bridge, the governing bodies shall direct the examiners to advertise for sealed bids on a contract to build or repair the bridge.
(b)
(1)
The advertisement shall specify:
(i)
the location of the building or repair of the bridge;
(ii)
the building or repair plan;
(iii)
the materials and workmanship required for the building or repair; and
(iv)
the time and place for the opening of the bids.
(2)
The information stated in the advertisement shall include sufficient detail to obtain adequate bids.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-612 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–612LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The examiners shall:
(1)
open the bids at the time and place specified in the advertisement required under § 12–611 of this subtitle; and
(2)
award the contract for bridge building or repair to the lowest bidder that meets the requirements of the notice.
(b)
The person awarded the contract under subsection (a) of this section shall provide the governing bodies of the counties a bond issued by an approved surety, in double the amount of the contract, conditioned on performance of the contract.
(c)
At any time during the performance of the bridge construction or repair, the examiners may inspect and direct the progress of the work.
(d)
(1)
On completion of the bridge construction or repair, the examiners shall:
(i)
take control of the bridge and open the bridge for public travel; and
(ii)
notify the governing bodies of the adjoining counties of the completion.
(2)
On notification that the bridge building or repair is complete, the governing bodies of the adjoining counties shall pay their respective portions of the cost of the work according to the contract.
(e)
(1)
If the examiners cannot agree on the portion of the cost of building or repairing the bridge each of the adjoining counties should pay, each group of examiners from each of the adjoining counties shall appoint an arbitrator to determine the amounts.
(2)
(i)
If the arbitrators cannot agree on the portion of the cost of building or repairing the bridge each of the adjoining counties should pay, the arbitrators shall appoint an umpire to decide the portion of the cost each county must pay.
(ii)
The umpire may not reside in either of the adjoining counties.
(3)
The decision of the arbitrators or the umpire is final and binding on the adjoining counties.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-613 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–613LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
A resident of a county in which the governing body has decided to build or repair a bridge, including a bridge between the county and an adjoining county, may seek review of the decision in the circuit court if the resident:
(i)
files before a contract for the building or repairing is awarded; and
(ii)
alleges that the decision is inexpedient.
(2)
The governing body of the county shall give the resident or the resident’s counsel full opportunity to examine the books and papers of the county relating to the decision to build or repair the bridge.
(3)
The circuit court shall hear and decide the case according to justice and right with or without a jury as agreed to by the parties or ordered by the court.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court shall allocate costs in a manner that the court determines just and equitable.
(2)
If the court sustains the decision of the governing body of the county, the resident shall pay the costs.
(3)
The governing body of the county shall pay any costs ordered by the court and all incidental expenses.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-616 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–616LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The County Commissioners of Carroll County may regulate the public bridges in the county that are not in a municipality and that have not been designated or maintained as a part of the State or federal highway system relating to:
(1)
vehicle weight;
(2)
vehicle parking;
(3)
vehicle abandonment;
(4)
building or maintenance by a private or public utility necessary for the performance of the utility’s purpose; and
(5)
vehicle speed, but only if the speed regulation has been recommended by the Department of State Police.
(b)
To indicate and carry out rules and regulations adopted under subsection (a)(1), (2), and (5) of this section, the County Commissioners of Carroll County shall provide appropriate traffic control devices that conform to State specifications.
(c)
For a new bridge, the County Commissioners of Carroll County may adopt rules and regulations relating to:
(1)
engineering;
(2)
construction; and
(3)
acceptance of the bridge into the county road system for maintenance by the county.
(d)
(1)
By local law, the County Commissioners of Carroll County may establish that a person who violates a rule or regulation adopted under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $25, exclusive of costs.
(2)
A penalty provision of another public general law prevails over a fine authorized under this subsection.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-617 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–617LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, Cecil County shall obtain the following by a competitively bid contract awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder:
(1)
the building or repair of a bridge; and
(2)
the purchase or lease of bridge construction equipment or machinery.
(b)
(1)
The governing body of Cecil County shall advertise for bids on a contract under subsection (a) of this section in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county.
(2)
The advertisement shall:
(i)
appear at least once;
(ii)
appear at least 1 week, but not more than 30 days, before the final date for submitting bids;
(iii)
if the contract relates to building or repair of a bridge, specify the location where the bridge is to be built or repaired;
(iv)
include a description of the goods or services required under the contract;
(v)
state that sealed bids for goods or services will be received until the date designated in the advertisement; and
(vi)
designate a date for the opening of the bids.
(c)
(1)
Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to an expenditure that:
(i)
is $10,000 or less; or
(ii)
the governing body of Cecil County by a recorded majority vote taken at a public meeting declares to be an emergency expenditure.
(2)
For an expenditure under this subsection, the governing body may determine:
(i)
the manner of providing for the expenditure; and
(ii)
if the building or repair is by contract, the manner in which the contract is awarded.
(d)
(1)
A contract entered into in violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section is void, unless:
(i)
a court determines in a judicial action that all parties acted in good faith; and
(ii)
the parties have substantially complied with the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(2)
If a contract is void under this subsection, the governing body of Cecil County shall compensate the contractor for costs actually incurred if the contractor:
(i)
acted in good faith;
(ii)
did not directly contribute to the violation; and
(iii)
did not know of the violation.
(e)
A person who willfully violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-618 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–618LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County may regulate bridges in the county that are not in a municipality and that have not been designated or maintained as a part of the State or federal highway system relating to:
(1)
vehicle weight;
(2)
vehicle parking;
(3)
vehicle abandonment;
(4)
building or maintenance by a private or public utility relating to the performance of the utility’s purpose;
(5)
the building or maintenance of driveway connections where connections are provided; and
(6)
vehicle speed.
(b)
If required by an ordinance enacted under subsection (a) of this section, the County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County shall provide appropriate traffic control devices.
(c)
For a new bridge, the County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County may regulate relating to:
(1)
engineering;
(2)
construction; and
(3)
acceptance of the bridge into the county road system.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 12-621 (2026)
Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally
Subtitle 6. Bridges and Canals
§ 12–621LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies to all counties.
(b)
(1)
A corporation may build a bridge over a river, creek, or stream in the State or dig, build, or maintain a canal only if the governing bodies of all counties in the State in which the bridge or canal is to be built have authorized the corporation to build the bridge or canal.
(2)
A resolution of the governing body of a county authorizing the building of a bridge or canal shall be recorded:
(i)
in the record of proceedings of the governing body; and
(ii)
in the records of the corporation.
(c)
(1)
Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a corporation may enter into an agreement with an owner of any interest in property to obtain:
(i)
land necessary for:
(1)
a bridge abutment;
(2)
digging, building, and maintaining a canal; or
(3)
a road or highway to approach a bridge or canal; or
(ii)
earth or stone for building of:
(1)
a bridge or canal;
(2)
a road or highway that approaches a bridge or canal; or
(3)
a terminal, dock, or wharf.
(2)
A person shall convey an interest in property to a corporation under paragraph (1) of this subsection by deed properly executed and recorded.
(3)
A corporation may obtain property under paragraph (1) of this subsection by condemnation under the provisions of Title 12 of the Real Property Article if:
(i)
the corporation and the property owner fail to agree on the conveyance of the property;
(ii)
the property owner lacks capacity to contract to convey the property; or
(iii)
the property owner is absent from the State.
(d)
(1)
On completion of the building of a bridge or canal, the corporation shall report the completion to the governing body of the county:
(i)
in writing; and
(ii)
under the oath or affirmation of the corporation’s president or vice president.
(2)
(i)
After notification by the corporation, the governing body shall appoint three persons to examine the bridge or canal.
(ii)
The persons shall report to the governing body on whether the bridge has been built in a substantial and durable manner that will promote public convenience.
(iii)
The governing body shall review the report and shall ratify or reject the report.
(iv)
The governing body may also appoint other persons to report on whether the bridge has been built in a substantial and durable manner that will promote public convenience.