ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Government issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the final design of the North Tunnel, the centerpiece of flood mitigation projects in the Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan. The EOI seeks responses from qualified firms that must have demonstrated experience and successful completion of a rock tunnel. Firms will also be required to demonstrate success in construction cost estimating and scheduling. To view the EOI, please click HERE.

The extended North Tunnel is one of the most impactful projects in our Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan – keeping floodwater off the street and preserving the history of our town. Even as we deal with the challenges of a global pandemic, we continue to make progress to protect Ellicott City from flooding for generations to come.

Calvin Ball
Howard County Executive

The EOI facilitates a qualifications-based selection process. Responses will be evaluated rating each firm’s experience, project management ability, approach to the project, understanding of the work effort and qualifications of personnel to be assigned to the project. The process is anticipated to take between 60 – 90 days. Funding for the design was appropriated in County Executive Ball’s Fiscal Year 2021Capital Budget.

Ball recently announced that the County would extend the North Tunnel, eliminating the need for the previously planned flood mitigation projects for the West End of Ellicott City. The extended tunnel will keep more storm water off the street, negate the need for other flood mitigation projects in the West End, preserve historic properties, and is anticipated to be cost neutral. The extended North Tunnel will start around 8800 Frederick Road and run approximately 5,000 feet to the Patapsco River. The previous design began in Lot F of Ellicott City.

“These projects don’t just move forward on their own. There has been a ton of behind the scenes work to make this next step a reality,” said State Senator Katie Fry Hester. “The extended North Tunnel is a perfect example of how hard the county is working to balance the critical need for flood mitigation with the desire to preserve as much of the town’s history as possible

“This project will have a big impact on the town by redirecting stormwater during severe weather,” said State Delegate Courtney Watson. “I am proud of all the progress we have made and continue to make on moving the Safe and Sound plan forward.”

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