September 10, 2019
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Kamran Sadeghi, Project Manager, Department of Public Works, 410-313-5889
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – A Howard County construction project to repair and replace the stacked stone retaining wall aside St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, located at the intersection of Main Street and Ellicott Mills Drive in Historic Ellicott City is underway. The project will include the stabilization and shoring up of the steep slope and the armoring of the stream banks that were damaged by the 2016 and 2018 floods. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late November.
“St. Luke AME Church has been on the Main Street hillside for more than 150 years. We are eager to repair the retaining wall and protect this historic community institution,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “Through our cooperation with State and Federal partners, we will continue to make progress to rebuild, recover and strengthen our community.”
The project is not expected to impact the flow of traffic; however, the sidewalk and shoulder adjacent to the project will remain closed during construction. Flagging operations will be in place to allow construction vehicles and equipment to enter and exit the work site as needed during construction hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Variable message boards will be posted in the area to alert motorists of the construction.
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.
The project is being funded in part through a $500,000 award from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Strategic Demolition Fund. This State program is a place-based designation offering resources that support community development, revitalization and sustainability.
For questions or concerns about Capital Project C-0052, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.