Nine buildings in the west end of Ellicott City will be saved with a change to Ellicott City’s “Safe and Sound” plan.
The plan was developed after two floods tore through the town’s historic Main Street in two years.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced that the planned north tunnel would be extended. The new tunnel would run from Lot F and end near the 8800 block of Frederick Road.
The extended tunnel is designed to carry the load during periods of high water with no need to change the original stream bed. The extended tunnel would reduce water levels, eliminate the need for some of the other projects, and save homes and historical properties
The county executive said that the tunnel extension would be cost-neutral. The cost of the original plan was $74 million. The new tunnel design is expected to take water levels from 3.5 feet to less than one-half foot.
In order to construct the new tunnel, the county will be seeking easements from property owners. The Department of Public Works is expected to begin that process soon.
Good luck!