August 19, 2019
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Brian Cleary, Project Manager, Department of Public Works, 410-313-6455
ELLICOTT CITY – This past May, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the final decision for his “EC Safe and Sound” plan. His decision, Option 3G.7.0., encompasses a wide range of key flood mitigation projects, including the installation of two 10-foot diameter pipes under Maryland Avenue. These two pipes will connect the Tiber Branch waterway to the Patapsco River and will reduce flooding along lower Main Street by conveying large flood flows through the pipes.
Starting this Friday, August 23, the County’s Department of Public Works will begin work on the Maryland Avenue Culvert project. To identify subsurface soil conditions in the project area, soil borings will be conducted near the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Main Street. Borings will occur adjacent to the CSX railroad and the County’s Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum. The results of the borings will assist in developing the final design of the Maryland Avenue Culvert project. Weather permitting, the work is expected to take two days to complete.
“Earlier this year, we crafted a bold, effective plan for flood mitigation in Ellicott City to move forward with urgency, prioritize public safety, and build a model of resilience and economic vitality. The Maryland Avenue Culvert Project represents another important milestone of progress this year along our journey to better support every resident, visitor, and business in our town,” said Ball. “This project will take immediate action to direct water away from Main Street and keep people safe. I want to thank everyone working on this project, and all our Safe and Sound efforts, for their dedication to serving our community.”
Flagging operations will be in place to direct traffic as needed as temporary lane shifts along Maryland Avenue during construction hours, Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., are possible.
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.
To learn more about Ball’s EC Safe and Sound plan, visit www.ecsafeandsound.org/.