Phase 2 Moves Shipley’s Dam Closer To Completion

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Motorists who use West Benfield Drive were not thrilled to learn that a portion of the road would be closed from October 2018 through May 2019, but they were equally alarmed that construction lingered through the end of August.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works (DPW) is now beginning Phase 2 of construction for the dam removal project. Construction contractor Paydirt LLC got orders to begin Phase 2 at the dam site on September 4. The work includes installation of erosion and sediment control features, along with the creation of a construction entrance and haul road from the end of Oak Stump Drive to the dam. DPW officials anticipate that this initial work will take approximately one month.

Before proceeding with the dam removal, Paydirt must complete construction of the new box culvert under West Benfield Road, which is part of the ongoing Phase 1 work. This culvert and the realigned stream must be completed before dam removal to handle increased flows after dam removal. This work is currently scheduled for completion in early spring 2020. Therefore, dam removal should begin in early spring 2020 and be completed in summer 2020.

In 2006, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) deemed the dam unsafe due to seepage and settlement issues. Built in 1980, the 20-foot-high dam is an earthen embankment that serves as a stormwater management pond for Shipley’s Choice.

Because of the age of the culvert and because hydraulic analysis showed slight increases in water surface elevation, MDE required DPW to change its design from a 25-year culvert to a larger, 50-year culvert.

Sheri Lott, an engineer manager for DPW’s Watershed Protection and Restoration Program, explained the need for the project when work began in 2018.

“We are putting a concrete culvert in its place, so it will have a much longer life cycle,” Lott said. “And even if there is additional building that’s above it, the capacity is large enough that it should never have to be replaced in these person’s lifetimes, so it is very much a permanent fix.”

Oak Stump Drive will remain open during Phase 2 construction. However, parking restrictions will be required. To provide a parking area for contractor vehicles, residents are requested not to park on the south side of the Oak Stump Drive cul-de-sac from September 4 through October 4. To allow room for large construction vehicles to enter the site during the first week of construction (September 4-6), residents are requested not to park on the north or south side of the cul-de-sac. Curbside parking is prohibited during these dates; driveway parking may continue. The contractor has been directed not to block driveways with vehicles or materials. Paydirt will erect “no parking” signs.

Anyone with questions or concerns can contact project manager Larry Mathena at 410-222-7908 or pwmath00@aacounty.org. Mathena has been providing regular project updates via email. To receive these project updates, provide your email address to Mathena.

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