Work to Begin on Pedestrian Bridge on Willowbrook Road

Preliminary construction will begin Monday, October 15, 2007, on the future pedestrian bridge across Willowbrook Road that will link the Willowbrook Office Complex to the new hospital. This will result in the closure of the center driveway entrance to the Willowbrook Office Complex, which includes offices for the Allegany County Health Department, League for Crippled Children, Veterans' Administration, Infospherix, and several Western Maryland Health System functions.

Vehicular access to the facility will be through the driveway entrances at either end of the property. Visitors to the services in the main office building should use the north lot, which is the first parking area off Willowbrook Road from Interstate 68. Visitors to the Allegany County Health Department's services in the Brook Building should use the south lot, which is in front of the Brook Building. New signage is being installed to help guide visitors to these parking areas.

This initial work includes the excavation for the bridge's poured concrete piers and the elevator/stairwell tower that will be located in front of the building's main entrance. Protective coverings will be installed near the main entrance to ensure safe access to the building during construction, which should last four to five months. The necessary steelwork and pre-case concrete walkway sections for the new pedestrian bridge also will be erected as part of this initial work.

When the new hospital opens in 2009, this pedestrian bridge will allow patients and staff safe and easy access to the many programs and services provided by the Allegany County Health Department and WMHS located in the Willowbrook Office Complex.