| Regulation, Assessments, and Taxation of Bridges on the Potomac
It appears that the early bridges across the Potomac were built by private corporations authorized by consenting legislation between Maryland and Virginia, or West Virginia. They were often built over the sites of existing ferries and it was sometimes stipulated that the bridge company buy or pay for damages to the public ferry company. The bridges operated as toll bridges and the rates were regulated by the states.
Early research shows that the bridges were assessed by Maryland and that the assessments included the length of the bridge over the Potomac. Not included in the assessments are abuttments on the opposite shore of the bordering state.
The bridges were purchased by the State Roads Commission of Maryland and included in the State road system in the early 1900s-1940s. This is true in the case of the Hancock Bridge Company at Hancock, Maryland. The bridge company actually sold half of the bridge to Maryland and the other half to West Virginia.
This has led to additional research into potential agreements between the states concerning maintenance. I've come across several bridges crossing the Potomac that Maryland and the bordering state actually split the cost of maintenance. Apparently bridge agreements vary from bridge to bridge. There are several arrangements that include 50/50, 91/9, or 87/13 sharing of maintenance costs. [DS/ECP 11/24/01]
The State Highway Administration provided a list [on ? ] of Agreements/ Interstate Bridges that lists what SHA calls its border bridges. The list gives County, location, how cost and responsibilities are shared, and dates of agreements. When applicable, specific agreements for Potomac River Bridges will be posted.
- The Virginia and Maryland Bridge Company at Shepherdstown, Known as the James Rumsey Bridge, it carries Route 34 over the Potomac between Washington County and Jefferson County, West Virginia
- The Hancock Bridge Company at Hancock, it crosses the Potomac between Hancock, Washington County and Morgan County, West Virginia.
- The North Branch Bridge Company at Cresaptown, Crosses into Allegany County
[DS/ECP 11/24/01]
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