Supporting mobility and minimizing environmental impacts, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is installing pervious pavement systems at two park and ride lots in Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties. The new environmentally friendly pavement system supports Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing initiative and will create 126 new spaces at the two popular lots. By using pervious drainage systems, SHA can limit the size of adjacent storm water treatment ponds and swales used to manage the water from the existing, impervious pavement.

"Incorporating pervious pavement systems in our park and ride lots allows us to increase ridesharing options without increasing the state’s impervious surface area. The combination of reduced runoff and fewer vehicles on the roadway contributes to a greener Maryland," said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. "As our park and ride lots become filled to capacity, we are anxious to expand the lots to better serve commuters and try this material at other locations."

Together with bio-swales and tree plantings, SHA is limiting runoff from entering the Chesapeake Bay via tributaries. Runoff contains nitrogen and phosphorus, which foster accelerated growth of algae blooms that deplete life-giving oxygen to aquatic life.

Pervious pavement systems require extensive testing of the soil and grading of the area that requires drainage. Additionally, the overall system is built to withstand extremely heavy rain storms. The material is ideally suited for park and ride locations and is maintained using a vacuum truck to remove debris that can clog the porous material.

Southern Anne Arundel County

SHA is doubling parking at the park and ride lot along MD 794 (Southern Maryland Boulevard) just south of MD 408 (Mt. Zion Marlboro Road) near Wayson’s Corner. Once complete, commuters will have access to 147 spaces, adding 76 spaces to the existing 71 space lot. The new lot also will contain bio-swales to filter runoff from existing non-pervious surface, as well as energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting. Major work on the $800,000 project started in March and will be complete by spring 2015, weather permitting.

Northern Baltimore County

SHA is adding 50 additional spaces along I-83 at the MD 439 (Old York Road) Interchange, increasing the total to 121 spaces. The lot also will include a bio-swale for the existing non-pervious surface and overhead LED lights. SHA started the $888,000 construction in early April and will be complete by spring 2015, weather permitting. SHA awarded both projects to Concrete General Inc. of Gaithersburg.

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