The Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway kicked off a fundraising campaign at the Avalon area of Patapsco Valley State Park earlier this week to make the Thomas Viaduct more accessible to visitors.

The occasion was the 175th anniversary of the historic granite structure, which crosses the Patapsco River about a quarter mile downstream from Interstate 95 in Elkridge at the county border with Howard County.

"This is a treasure, a long-neglected treasure," said Catonsville resident John Ferguson, a member of the Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway.

Ferguson said that where he grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, the area's 20 or more Frank Lloyd Wright houses were part of the community's identity.

"That's what this viaduct should be for this corner of the world," he said.

When completed July 4, 1835, it was the largest bridge in the United States, with a length of more than 600 feet, and the only bridge built on a curve, according to the Maryland Historical Society.

Designed to carry 6-ton steam engines, the viaduct still holds up under the weight of diesel-electric engines that weigh hundreds of tons today.

"The Thomas Viaduct is one of the world's engineering marvels," said Courtney Wilson, executive director of the B&O Railroad Museum, on Pratt Street in Baltimore.

But viewing this piece of history is difficult, according to Kit Valentine, president of the Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway.

"We want to create a place where people can see it and appreciate it and be safe," the Catonsville resident said.

Few locations offer a view of the structure. On the north riverbank, people can drive under the viaduct on River Road, which enters Patapsco Valley State Park off South Street near Washington Boulevard. But there's no place to pull off the road and stop.

"Most people don't even know it's there," said John Slater, vice-president of the Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway.

A scenic overlook would be placed east of the tracks, on the north side of the Patapsco River.

"Just opposite of where the old Relay Hotel was," Slater said. "There used to be a train platform there."

The idea of a scenic overlook came from Sykesville resident Paul Bridge and Catonsville resident Harry Eck Sr., according to Slater.

"They started the seed of the idea 10 or 12 years ago," he said.

The overlook building would cost between $1 million and $1.2 million, Slater said.

"Aesthetically, we have railings that have been falling off of it," Valentine said.

Ferguson, who is on the Thomas Viaduct Planning Committee along with Relay residents Ray Chism and Lucy McKean, wants to see the vegetation growing on the structure removed.

"There are trees growing in the mortar joints. It's really in awful shape," he said.

The bridge also has a few loose joints and at least one loose keystone, though CSX has told Slater that the bridge is structurally sound.

"We'd like it to be cleaned up and restored so we can show it off," Slater said. "It's got lots of salts that come out of the mortar and drip down over the beautiful granite."

The goal is to raise enough money to power wash and restore the entire structure, an operation that would cost between $1.5 million and $1.7 million, Slater said.

Slater expects that raising the funds and completing plans for the scenic overlook will take about two years.

CSX, which owns the viaduct, shied away from the idea at the time because tourists lingering near railroad tracks raised safety concerns, Slater said.

The difference now is that plans include a fence between the overlook and the tracks, Slater said.

This time, CSX is on board.

"CSX has already donated $10,000 to us," Slater said.

As part of the 175th anniversary celebration, the B&O Railroad Museum will feature an exhibit on the viaduct beginning July 30.

An exhibit of historical photos and drawings, as well as information about the viaduct's designer, Benjamin Latrobe, are currently on display at the B&O Museum's Ellicott City Station as well.

Submissions for the Thomas Viaduct exhibit at the B&O Railroad Museum must be no larger than 24 by 39 inches, and must be framed. Works must be delivered on Monday, July 26, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to Dave Shackelford, Chief Curator of the B&O Railroad Museum, at 901 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore.

Those interested in donating to the restoration of the Thomas Viaduct should make checks to Friends of Patapsco Valley & Heritage Greenway, with "Thomas Viaduct" on the memo line, and send to Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway, P.O. Box 96, Ellicott City, MD 21204.

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