Executive Kittleman, Councilman Weinstein announce Oct. 6 reopening of Ellicott City’s Main Street to pedestrians, vehicular traffic

October 5, 2016
Executive Kittleman, Councilman Weinstein announce Oct. 6 reopening of Ellicott City’s

Main Street to pedestrians, vehicular traffic
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman and Council Vice Chair Jon Weinstein today announced that Ellicott City’s Main Street will reopen Thursday, Oct. 6 at 5:00 p.m., allowing pedestrian and vehicular traffic into the entire historic district for the first time since the July 30 flash flood.
“Since that terrible night, we have made tremendous strides in rebuilding Ellicott City,” said Kittleman. “The merchants, building owners, residents and county crews have worked countless hours to get us to this point. It’s remarkable how resilient this community has been over these past 10 weeks as it has come together to clean up and rebuild.”
Weinstein, whose district includes Ellicott City, agreed with Kittleman, saying that the reopening of Main Street “is a critical step in the recovery process to get Ellicott City ‘back on its Street.’”
“While there is still significant work ahead to restore Main Street and the historic district, great progress has been made since the flood,” said Weinstein. “I’m grateful for the continuing, tireless efforts by all the county personnel and volunteers, and the patience and resiliency of the residents and business owners who define the term ‘ECStrong’.”
Kittleman said two-way vehicular traffic will resume on Main Street starting Thursday and pedestrians will be allowed to walk throughout the area. Tiber Alley will remain closed until Friday, Oct. 7 at 5:00 p.m. so that crews may complete additional necessary repairs. Motorists are reminded that the speed limit is 25 mph and caution is urged.
Some access to sidewalks, particularly on Main Street between Old Columbia Pike and Maryland Avenue, may be restricted from time to time as business owners continue work on their properties. It could be necessary to impose temporary traffic restrictions and flagging operations at times, particularly near Maryland Avenue where county public works crews are rebuilding a retaining wall near the B&O railroad bridge.
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No parking and parking restriction signs will be posted throughout the area. Parking will not be permitted on Main Street, though vehicles involved in repair work will be allowed to load and unload materials in certain, marked locations.

Parking will be available in all county lots except for Lot “B,” which is located next to the Patapsco River. More than 450 parking spaces are available in the historic district. Access to Lot “D” will continue to be from Roussey Lane off of Old Columbia Pike. Additional spaces are available in the Howard County Circuit Court parking lot.
Kittleman said police will continue stepped up, around the clock patrols along Main Street to support businesses as they continue repairs. Credentialing will no longer be required to visit the area.
“Things are not back to normal and for a while to come, there will be construction and rebuilding underway,” said Kittleman. “The community requests the patience of those who will be visiting Main Street since it remains an active construction zone.
“Councilman Weinstein and I remain fully committed to making Ellicott City a model resilient community for the state and the rest of the nation.”
The reopening coincides with the ending of the State of Emergency for the Main Street area that has been in effect since a storm dropped six inches of rain in less than two hours, causing a flash flood that claimed two lives, damaged buildings, cars, stream retaining walls and much of the infrastructure in the area.
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