November 20, 2019
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Robert Hollenbeck, Project Manager, Department of Public Works, 410-313-5784
ELLICOTT CITY – A Howard County construction project to conduct soil borings in Ellicott City’s Historic District is expected to begin this week. The findings from these soil boring will aid in developing the final design of North Tunnel, part of Howard County Executive Calvin Ball’s “EC Safe and Sound” plan. This stormwater management tunnel is slated to be constructed between Parking Lot F and the Patapsco River. Weather permitting, this investigation is expected to be completed by early February 2020.
“We are making progress throughout Historic Ellicott City with our EC Safe and Sound plan,” said Ball. “A significant flood mitigation project in our plan is the construction of a tunnel that will convey flood water away from Main Street. In order to implement this tunnel we must take this first step to ensure the proper design and alignment of where it will be built.”
Borings will be conducted in the vicinity of the following sites:
- Parking Lot F near 8388 Court Avenue;
- Parking Lot E near 8382 Court Avenue;
- Near 3676 Park Avenue;
- 1 Emory Street near the historic Ellicott City Jail;
- Court Avenue and the Howard County Circuit Court House Parking Lot;
- 3727 Church Road; and
- CSX right-of-way near Parking Lot B
At times, thru traffic near the work sites at 3727 Church Road and 8382 Court Avenue may shift to one lane, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Also, portions of the Howard County Circuit Courthouse parking lot and Lots B and F may close briefly, as needed. Signs and flagging operations will be in place to direct motorists.
While the County and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, drivers are reminded to stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Please slow down and don’t follow too closely when traveling through a work zone. Remember, work zone safety is in your hands.
For questions or concerns about Capital Project C-0337, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.