An approximately $30 million USD upgrade has begun at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, to update ageing infrastructure, address tidal flooding and support the waterfront community near the Chesapeake Bay.
Built by the City of Crisfield in 1958 and owned by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) since 1980, Somers Cove is Maryland’s largest state-owned marina at more than 30 acres, with 515 slips for vessels up to 150ft (46 metres). The site is known as the “Gateway to the Chesapeake”, serving more than 5,000 boaters each year and connecting Crisfield to Smith and Tangier Islands through tour boats and ferry services. It is also home to DNR’s icebreaker and buoy tender, the M/V Eddie Somers.
Eight of the 15 piers at the marina will be replaced with floating systems, the boat ramp will be rebuilt and 2,000ft (610 metres) of new bulkhead will be installed. The project will also replace utility systems across the marina and its piers, install an emergency generator, resurface parking areas and add sidewalks to improve access to multiple piers and slips.
Other site work covers stormwater management, critical area mitigation, landscaping and invasive species removal. To address longstanding tidal flooding in the area, five tide gates will be added to a new storm drain system to protect Somers Cove and nearby properties, including two gates intended for the city’s future development.
DNR is leading the project in partnership with the Maryland Department of General Services and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), while Baltimore-based Dvorak LLC will handle construction over an expected 18-24 months. Most of the project’s funding comes from $15.82 million in Waterway Improvement grants, followed by $8.73 million in General Obligation Bonds and $5.95 million from the MDOT.
