PERRY HALL, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration announced on Tuesday that officials will reopen the Belair Road driveway to the parking lot for the Gunpowder Falls State Park – Central Area on Tuesday morning, October 6th.

The closure was part of the $3.6 million US 1 bridge rehabilitation project that is expected to be complete later this fall.

The park’s parking lots, adjoining trails and pathways over the Gunpowder Falls and the pedestrian tunnel had been closed since October 2019. During the closure, MDOT SHA and its contractor, Marine Technologies, Inc. of Baltimore, rehabilitated the corrugated metal pipe arches of the of the US 1 bridge over the Gunpowder Falls and the metal pipe arch pedestrian tunnel underneath US 1.

The bridge rehabilitation project also includes enhancements to the park, such as stabilization of the connector pathway from the parking lot to the trail tunnel, and stabilization of part of the trails.

“Over the past two years, I have worked with state legislators to communicate news of this project and resolve the many concerns that occurred because of this bridge restoration project,” said Councilman David Marks on Tuesday. “Delegate Kathy Szeliga and I were particularly active this summer. Hopefully, the reopening of the lot will alleviate parking problems.”

MDOT SHA advises park visitors that parking on the shoulder along Route 1 is prohibited in the vicinity of this park entrance. “No Parking” signs are posted along this segment of US 1.