West Benfield Road To Close Oct. 8 For Shipley’s Dam Removal

Residents who live on or frequently pass by West Benfield Road might have noticed a new sign recently alerting them that the street will be closed between Pixie Drive and Severnside Drive for approximately six months beginning Tuesday, October 9.

The closure will allow Anne Arundel County to complete the first phase of a project to upgrade the culvert under West Benfield Road and remove the Shipley’s Choice dam, which has been deemed unsafe by the Maryland Department of the Environment. County-authorized construction contractor Paydirt LLC has already begun the necessary stakeouts and preparations.

Phase 1 of the project will include the removal of the existing 66-inch culvert under West Benfield Road, between Pixie and Severnside drives. A 7-foot-by-10-foot concrete box culvert will be installed in its place. Prior to the culvert work, pipes will be installed to divert Bear Branch around the work area. Phase 1 work will also include the relocation of water, sewer and gas lines. The stream channel upstream and downstream of the culvert will be lined with rock. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by May 2019.

Phase 2 construction will commence in the summer 2019. Phase 2 includes the removal of the Shipley’s Choice dam and restoration of Bear Branch after dam removal. The majority of the earth fill from the dam will be placed along the hillside just east of the dam, downslope from the Oak Stump Drive cul-de-sac. Phase 2 work should be completed by late fall 2019.

Oak Stump Drive will remain open during Phase 2 construction, but construction equipment will use this road to access the dam site.

Anne Arundel County asks for residents to cooperate with Paydirt personnel, who will work near residential properties as needed to access the facilities. All field crews will have proper identification and be properly supervised.

Anyone with questions or concerns may phone the project manager, Larry Mathena, at 410-222-7908 or email at pwmath00@aacounty.org.