County Media Contact: Matt Diehl, 410-222-7582
 
For Immediate Release:
 

Annapolis (March 5, 2010) - The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works will begin work next week to make improvements to Forest Drive and help ease congestion on the heavily traveled road. The work to widen Forest Drive in each direction from Bywater Road to past Hilltop Lane is expected to begin March 8.

Improvements include the lane widening from two to three lanes and modifications to the medians, traffic islands and drainage to support the work. A hiker/biker trail will be installed along the east bound travel lanes and a stormwater bio-retention facility will also be added to correct existing erosion problems on the south side of Forest Drive, across from Hilltop Lane. Improvements also include upgraded signalization at the intersections where Forest Drive intersects with Bywater Road, South Cherry Grove Road and Hilltop Lane.

In an effort to minimize traffic impact, there will be no daytime lane closures. A minimum of two through travel lanes will be maintained in each direction between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.  From 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., a minimum of one through travel lane must be maintained.  

Work will be allowed Monday through Saturday.  The expected completion date of this project is December 13, 2010.  

The first inch of run-off is the most toxic for the environment. Run-off is the rain water that runs off your roof and the pavement, which mixes with pollen, shingle particles, debris, etc. This debris can be potentially harmful when it reaches our creeks and the bay because the water carries sediment and chemicals.

     One rain barrel can hold 55 gallons of run-off from your roof.

     Attach one or multiple rain barrels to each downspout.

     Use rain barrel water to water your lawn and garden as well as indoor plants!

     You can even use the water to wash your car!

Rain barrels are $60 per barrel (regularly $80). To order your rain barrels in time for Earth Day (April 22nd), contact Norm MacLeod at nhmacleod@verizon.net.

Please include your name and how many rain barrels you are ordering.  Checks can be made payable to Arlington Echo. The last day to order will be Wednesday, March 10th. You will be contacted via e-mail when they arrive!

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*OHCA newsletters are issued quarterly.

Interested? Please contact the OHCA manager: manager@oysterharbor.org.