September 18, 2018

Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Jay Steimetz, Project Manager, Department of Public Works, 410-313-6146

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – A Howard County construction project to replace a failed culvert storm drain pipe under Old Stockbridge Drive between Whistling Pines Court/Falling Leaves Court and Village Drive in Ellicott City is experiencing difficulties and delays. As a result, the project is now expected to be completed by late fall 2018, weather permitting.

The project, which began in March 2018, sought to replace two 16’ x 11’ x 150’ steel pipe arches that had collapsed under the roadway resulting in a sink hole on Old Stockbridge Drive. In addition, a 36-inch water line located above the collapsing culverts, that could not be relocated, had to be supported and taken out of service during the construction.

Concurrently, Baltimore County is nearing the completion of a project to install a new 36-inch water connection to the Catonsville Reservoir. The last major part of this project includes connecting Baltimore County’s line to Howard County’s primary water supply, a 48-inch water main running under US 40, in addition to removing a 30-inch parallel transmission main from service, which also supplies water to Howard County. Baltimore County’s project required a planned shutdown of Howard County’s 48-inch water main, which required Howard County to place the 36-inch water line under Old Stockbridge Drive back into service. To do so, the work on the culvert was halted. Once Baltimore County has completed its project, the 36-inch water main will be taken back out of service and Howard County will resume its culvert repair work. Weather permitting, this is expected to take place in early October.

Eighty percent of Howard County’s water supply, which is furnished by Baltimore City, is routed through Baltimore County. Baltimore County’s work will ultimately benefit Howard County and the integrity of our region’s water supply.

During the project, Old Stockbridge Drive between Whistling Pines Court/Falling Leaves Court and Village Drive has been closed to all traffic, vehicular and pedestrian. Signs are posted at the project site to advise motorists and pedestrians of the road and sidewalk closure and detour. To access Old Stockbridge Drive east and west of the construction site, vehicular traffic follows a clearly marked detour using MD 108 (Waterloo Road), Mayfield Avenue and MD 103 (Meadowridge Road).

For questions or concerns about the project, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.

Source: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/1272/News091818c