Amtrak’s Susquehanna River Bridge Project will replace the existing 119-year-old railroad bridge in Northern Maryland, which spans the Susquehanna River between the City of Havre de Grace and Town of Perryville. The existing bridge stands on the banks of the world’s fifth oldest river, an area that has been occupied for millennia, between a city and town that trace their roots back to before the American Revolution.
While the project’s first early demolition activity was completed in the river late last year and other prep work is underway, we still have several important tasks to complete before moving into heavy construction. One of these being that the project team must ensure that historically significant buildings, objects, structures, districts, and archaeological sites are considered during bridge design and construction.
As part of the planning and environmental review phases of the project, Amtrak, FRA, and MHT executed a Programmatic Agreement that established a process for cultural resource identification studies, impact minimization, and mitigation.
With “America250” fast approaching – a celebration of 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence – this work is an important opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of Americans, and look toward the future.
Previously, the project team and our contractors completed preliminary archaeological studies, including documentary sources and field review to identify areas that could potentially feature archaeological deposits. Last August, we worked with our contractors to conduct archaeological surveys in Havre de Grace and Perryville to identify sites in the project area. During these surveys, samples of children’s toys were found including slate pencils, porcelain figurines, a harmonica reed, and marbles. Through these additional excavations, archaeologists are hoping to learn more about the organization of town lots, building architectural design, outbuilding types and locations, demographics and economic status, and the lives of children in the 19th century.
This week, archaeologists began conducting advanced archaeological field investigations in Havre de Grace, and community members are invited to witness this exciting exploration. While on-site access is restricted, members of the public can view the dig, look at artifacts recovered from the site, and ask field staff questions about the findings. Stopping by to witness these field investigations is a great opportunity for community members (including families and children) to learn more about the American history that would have otherwise remained dormant.
Investigations are scheduled Tuesdays through Saturdays from 7 AM – 3 PM. This activity is anticipated to continue through October 2025, but subject to change depending on weather and holidays. Staff will be on-site near the tracks along Centennial Lane and Warren Street, answering questions during work hours.
For more information about the archaeological investigations, please check out the Archaeology Fact Sheet.
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