A cool little slice of history from the 1930's, this privately-owned one-lane bridge is completely different and unusual to the typical modern driving experience. It was a well-spent $1.50 to cross just for the fun of it. Surprisingly, it was very noisy crossing over with lots of wood clunks and metal squeaks. And only one car able to cross at a time. A local driver waiting on the other side was laughing at us filming the experience. The toll collector kindly answered our questions about the bridge history after collecting our fee in a long-handled metal cup.

I inspected and analyzed this bridge in the late 1980s. At the time it fell outside of Fed Highway or Maryland State Road Commission regulation but instead fell under the Public Service Commission, as if it were a utility. It hadn’t been inspected for years so, we at the Office of Bridge Development were tasked to rate the bridge. Certainly a one of a kind experience for me right out of college.

The super structure consists of railroad rails, which are made from an extremely high strength steel carrying a timber deck. The rails are tightly spaced and provide for considerable strength. The rails are also continuous over several consecutive piers, giving it more strength. At the time, I don’t believe it was posted (weight limits) seeing how well it rated out. This is an important Potomac River crossing. Without it the detour is like 30 or more miles.

Read on for more of its history. I’m amazed that some flood hasn’t washed this structure away in its nearly 100 year existence. For anyone who thinks it’s rickety, you’re dead wrong.

Well, it gets you from here to there. The bridge looks janky AF, but it works, and there is a certain charm to the whole thing. It is just one lane, which is all it needs to be, and yes, it charges a toll, which at time of writing was $1.50 for the car and then $.50 for each trailer axle. All cash, they hold a little tin cup out on a stick to take the money. Toll taker was very pleasant. Worth it if in the area just for the experience.

Close to C&O canal in Oldtown. We walk to the bridge, then later drive over for the experience. Going over the rough boards is best done with your car windows down to be able to hear the rumble.

We drove to Oldtown just to see the toll bridge. One of two privately owned toll bridges in the country. The lady was sweet and told us a little about it. She holds out a tin cup for your money.