ELLICOTT CITY, MD – A road maintenance project to extend the lifespan of more than 20 miles of Howard County’s roads in the western region by seven to ten years, has begun. Using a “chip seal” process, crews will patch and then spray liquid asphalt emulsion on the roadway and immediately cover the surface with fine stone. Rubber tired rollers then push the stone into the asphalt emulsion. Once the stone adheres to the asphalt emulsion, the loose stone will be swept away and the roadway lane markings repainted. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by August.
These resurfacing projects are much needed to maintain the lifespan of our county roads and ensure reliable and accessible transportation for our community. This work will supplement the historic $12.5 million in County funding for road resurfacing needs for FY 2023, the highest investment since FY 2015 to address a more than $60 million backlog of projects. In total, $31 million has been invested for roadways over the past four budgets from Fiscal Year 2020-2023, nearly double the level of investment compared to the previous four years.
County roads to be addressed will include:
Clarksville:
- Linden Church Road (from Broadwater Lane to dead end)
Cooksville:
- Carrs Mill Road (from MD 97 to MD 144)
- Cemetery Road (from Bushy Park Road to Millers Mill Road)
- Millers Mill Road (from MD 97 to Bushy Park Road)
- Monticello Drive (from MD 97 to newer portion of roadway)
Glenelg:
- Roxbury Road (from MD 97 to Triadelphia Road)
Marriottsville:
- Henryton Road (from MD 99 to Dead End)
Sykesville:
- Old Frederick Road (from Forsythe Road to MD 32)
Woodbine:
- Jennings Chapel Road (from MD 97 to Florence Road)
Signs will be posted to alert motorists and cyclists of the project and to urge caution when traveling through the project area as loose gravel and unmarked pavement can be expected until the work is complete.
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 speeds, 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 this maintenance project, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email [email protected].