About Us

Our Story

Founded by Andrew Burkhardt and Bret Whetzel, Chesapeake Tram and Waterfront specializes in providing high-quality service for hillside tram systems in the Chesapeake Bay region. With a focus on residential incline elevators, our team is dedicated to ensuring that your tram system runs safely, efficiently, and reliably in the unique environment of waterfront properties. From regular maintenance to expert repairs, we are dedicated to keeping your hillside elevator system running smoothly and safely, ensuring reliability and peace of mind throughout the year.

Meet Andrew

Andrew Burkhardt is the President and owner of Chesapeake Tram and Waterfront, where his passion for excellence, perfection, and customer satisfaction drives everything he does. With a strong mechanical background and years of hands-on experience across multiple trades, Andrew brings a wide-ranging skill set to every project. His expertise spans electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and construction services, allowing him to address a variety of challenges with precision and efficiency. For Andrew, business is about more than just completing a job—it's about building meaningful relationships. He approaches every client as a partner, focusing on developing mutual trust and respect. By cultivating personal connections, Andrew ensures that each client receives personalized service and solutions that meet their specific needs. With his commitment to quality and his hands-on approach, Andrew is dedicated to delivering the best possible service, making sure that every hillside elevator runs safely and efficiently.

Meet Bret

As Vice President and Co-Owner of Chesapeake Tram & Waterfront, Bret Whetzel plays a key leadership role in the success and direction of the company. With more than two decades of experience in construction, landscaping, and property management, Bret brings a deep understanding of how to deliver high-quality results in challenging waterfront environments. Before co-founding CTW, Bret built and still operates a thriving landscaping business known for its craftsmanship and customer care. That same commitment to excellence carries over into every tram installation, service call, and client relationship at CTW. Bret takes pride in working closely with customers—walking properties, listening to their needs, and ensuring every detail is handled with care. His experience with outdoor infrastructure and his ability to manage complex terrain make him an essential part of CTW’s mission to provide reliable, long-lasting solutions for hillside elevator systems. Outside of work, Bret enjoys family time, outdoor projects, and taking on new challenges that keep his skills sharp and his standards high.

Mission & Values

  • Safety, reliability, honesty, and community commitment

  • Our mission at Chesapeake Tram and Waterfront is to deliver outstanding service, maintenance, and repairs for hillside elevator systems. We are committed to the following core values:

  • Safety: We prioritize safety, ensuring your tram system operates in full compliance with all safety regulations.

  • Integrity: We believe in transparent, honest communication, providing fair pricing with no hidden fees.

  • Quality: We use the highest-quality materials and modern techniques to ensure that your system is efficient, reliable, and durable.

  • Customer Focus: We take pride in providing personalized service and working closely with each client to meet their unique needs.

New Installations Powered by Hill Hiker

  • Precision-Engineered Systems, Professionally Installed by CTW

  • Chesapeake Tram & Waterfront is proud to partner with Hill Hiker, Inc., a nationally recognized leader in hillside elevator design and manufacturing. Through this exclusive partnership, we offer custom-designed tram systems tailored to the unique demands of waterfront terrain—engineered by Hill Hiker and professionally installed by our experienced CTW team.

  • Whether you're building a new home on the water or upgrading access to an existing property, our installation services deliver long-lasting, code-compliant, and visually seamless solutions. Every system is built with marine-grade materials, engineered for reliability, and designed to complement the natural beauty of your property.

  • Our Installation Process Includes:

    • Site consultation & slope assessment

    • Coordination with Hill Hiker engineers for system design

    • Local permitting & compliance support

    • Complete assembly and installation by CTW

    • Post-install inspection, walkthrough, and safety testing

  • From concept to completion, we manage the entire process—ensuring your new hillside tram is built to last and backed by experts at every step.

Service Area

Chesapeake Tram & Waterfront proudly serves the waterfront communities throughout Anne Arundel County, specializing in properties along the region’s most iconic rivers. Our service area includes the Severn River, Magothy River, South River, and Patapsco River, as well as the many creeks, inlets, and bays that branch from them. Whether your home is nestled on a steep shoreline or tucked into a quiet cove, we’re equipped to handle the unique challenges of your terrain. From tram installations to dock access improvements and waterfront maintenance, we provide reliable service across the county’s diverse and beautiful waterfronts.