Commissioners approve easement for storm drain work and accept additional federal funding for culvert replacement

The Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 24 approved a development agreement to replace an inadequate culvert under Maryland Route 4 and accepted additional federal funds to advance a separate county culvert replacement project.

George Erickson, director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation, described a developer proposal for a one-story office building across from the county public-works office that required upgrading an existing 24-inch pipe that outfalls onto county property. Erickson said the developer will replace the inadequate pipe, add a plunge pool to reduce downstream impact and record a perpetual easement that makes the developer responsible for future maintenance. “They’re upgrading the pipe so that it is adequate, and that there will be an easement placed around the pipe so that perpetual maintenance becomes the developer’s responsibility,” Erickson told the commission.

Commissioners approved the grading and storm-drainage agreement and authorized the president to sign the instrument for the construction of a 48-inch storm-drain pipe on county property (tax map 42, parcel 104). The board’s action requires the developer to secure a State Highway permit for any work under Route 4 and to use construction methods (jack-and-bore) to avoid surface disruption where possible.

Separately, the board recognized $317,271 in additional Federal Highway Administration funds for the Doctor Johnson Road culvert replacement project (project H W 1001). Erickson said the county will use the federal funds alongside previously awarded MEMA/FEMA funds and county matches to replace three inadequate 48-inch pipes with three concrete box culverts (two 12-foot and one 14-foot sections) and that the construction bid is in the neighborhood of $900,000. He said the project will likely require detours and a 180-day construction period and that the county will coordinate with the Board of Education about bus routes and publish a press release with duration and detour information well in advance.

Both actions passed on voice vote. Commissioners and staff emphasized that the grading agreement reduces the county’s long-term maintenance liabilities for the MD Route 4 outfall and that the culvert project’s federal funds make it feasible to proceed to award and construction.