Gunpowder Falls Tunnel Expected to Open by Labor Day

Perry Hall's county and state legislators have confirmed that the pedestrian tunnel at Gunpowder Falls State Park should be opened by Labor Day weekend, weather permitting.

I contacted the Maryland State Highway Administration - along with Senator J.B. Jennings, and Delegates Kathy Szeliga and Lauren Arikan. Here is an update:

"Thank you for your email regarding the US 1 (Belair Road) bridge project pedestrian tunnel closure. We regret the inconvenience your constituents have experienced because of the tunnel and construction activity on this project.

The construction work at the pedestrian tunnel is substantially completed. Due to safety concerns both for the public and construction crew, the tunnel is currently still closed as it falls directly within the staging area and active work zone and the concrete paver pathway leading to the tunnel is not yet done. Upon the completion of the concrete archway for the other tunnels, we anticipate completing the installation of the concrete paver pathway by the end of July 2020. The pedestrian tunnel is expected to be opened to the public around Labor Day. The project is scheduled to be finished by early November, weather permitting.

Additionally, we would like to note that the closure of the park entrance on US 1 was requested by park management early in the project. While the construction activities added safety concerns and limited available parking, park management indicated that there is an ongoing issue of the parking demand overwhelming the supply in the relatively small lots at this park entrance. Park management mentioned that they would be looking for long term parking solutions while the US 1 park entrance was closed during the construction project. It was agreed upon at the request of park management to close the park entrance until the project is complete."

We will be asking for police to better enforce safety standards, particularly during weekends when usage increases.