BALTIMORE, MD (December 19, 2012) – Public Works Director
Alfred H. Foxx, joined by Councilman Warren Branch, Transportation
Director Khalil Zaied, and other city, community and corporate leaders,
today declared that the 2300 block of E. Monument St. is OPEN FOR
BUSINESS.

Today’s 12:30 p.m. ceremony at E. Monument St. and
Patterson Park Ave. marked the official end of almost five months of
monumental work to restore the utilities, roadway and sidewalks. The
initial collapse of a 120 year old, 10 foot diameter storm drain tunnel
occurred in this block on July 25, 2012. Subsequent major storms
enlarged the initial opening causing damage to other underground
utilities.  

The Department of Public Works worked closely with
BGE and Verizon and other City agencies to restore, and proactively
upgrade, the storm drain tunnel as well as water, sewer, electrical, gas
and telecommunications lines. This included replacing 500 feet of
six-inch water main with new 12-inch piping and also lining 200 feet of
sewer main.

The storm drain tunnel itself is now renewed with
steel lining between Patterson Park and Montford Avenues to prevent a
future collapse. A nine foot permanent shaft has been installed to
facilitate future rehabilitation of the storm drain system.

“This was
a major reconstruction project which could not have been done without
private-public partnerships ”, said Director Foxx. “It also demonstrates
the need for increasing infrastructure investment.”