Originally constructed in 1866 and reconstructed in 1906, the Susquehanna River Bridge is a significant piece of infrastructure spanning the Susquehanna River in Maryland. Part of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, the bridge features large stone and concrete piers and operates as a swing bridge, allowing the rails to disconnect and open for shipping traffic. However, the ability to open and close the bridge has become increasingly unfeasible. To continue being a vital transportation link, the bridge requires extensive rehabilitation. SAM was selected to provide specialized boundary surveying, control work, and easement mapping, supporting HNTB.
SAM's experience with complex infrastructure projects, including collaboration with Amtrak and HNTB, made us well-equipped to tackle the unique challenges posed by the region’s history and topography. The project involved significant surveying work due to historical and legal aspects of land ownership across two counties, where different surveying practices and historical methods presented additional challenges.
The project began with our team focusing on establishing project control and accurate boundary lines for the railroad corridor. To overcome the challenges posed by the Susquehanna River’s geography and unique surveying histories, the team recovered survey monuments published with the National Geodetic Survey and the state of Maryland, establishing temporary control using magnetic nails, stakes, and spikes. Our surveyors used GPS and advanced geospatial technology to ensure precise control throughout the surveying process.
The project passed through historic towns like Havre de Grace and Perryville, Maryland, where land ownership records and surveying maps dating back to the 1700s and 1800s had to be referenced. SAM team members uncovered old stone monuments along the railroad corridor, sometimes requiring extensive digging or assistance from local landowners to locate. The team also discovered issues with old roads that had never been properly surveyed. Discrepancies in deeds describing property lines were common, especially with roads that were initially private and later became public, complicating the surveying process and highlighting the need for thorough historical research.
SAM worked closely with landowners, including farms, golf courses, and commercial properties like IKEA, to resolve ownership disputes and determine access easements. Historical complications arose from the railroad’s practice of acquiring land through “takings,” creating gaps in property records. Our surveyors conducted detailed title searches, collaborating with a title company that could obtain U.S. title reports for the properties involved.
A critical component of the project was the historical research that informed the boundary surveying process. SAM worked with Amtrak to access valuation maps, National Archives documents, and other records to reconstruct the history of the railroad’s land acquisitions. The shifting position of the river and difficulty in locating original monuments added to the challenge, but SAM surveyors cross-referenced historical deeds, plats, and state records to confirm property lines and ensure accurate boundary delineation.
Technologies such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) played a crucial role in capturing high-resolution data of the bridge and surrounding environment. These non-invasive technologies provided detailed 3D models, enabling precise mapping and reducing the time spent on-site. This approach helped minimize disruptions to the community and traffic flow, which was essential given the bridge’s importance to transportation.
SAM also provided easement mapping, identifying both temporary and permanent easements that would allow the construction team to work along the railroad corridor. The Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping ensured that all parties involved had access to the most current and accurate data, streamlining land usage and minimizing disruptions to surrounding properties.
The project timeline spans several years, with the first phase expected to be completed by the end of 2025. SAM will continue to support the bridge rehabilitation by providing ongoing surveying services and updating data as it evolves, ensuring that the rehabilitation efforts proceed according to the most up-to-date and accurate information available.
Safety is a top priority, and SAM utilized UAVs and remote sensing technologies to perform surveys from a safe distance, minimizing the need for field crews to work in hazardous locations. SAM’s surveyors also collaborated closely with contractors to meet safety standards and address any potential hazards.
Throughout the project, SAM's ability to mobilize local survey crews, attention to detail, and ability to navigate complex land ownership issues were crucial in overcoming numerous challenges. As the project progresses, SAM will continue to provide essential surveying services and support the construction team in bringing the bridge back to full functionality.