Bureau of Highways FAQ Resource Page

A: If a tree on County maintained right-of-way has fallen or a large branch is down and is blocking a roadway, the Bureau of Highways staff will locate and remove the tree and debris. Homeowners are responsible for the removal of trees and debris on private property. If the tree is on private property but impeding a County roadway, DOT will cut and remove the tree from the roadway but the homeowner must remove the private property debris. If you are calling outside of those hours, please contact 911 for immediate assistance. If there are wires involved, please contact the local utility company. Rte. 2 or MD 214, please contact Maryland State Highway at (410) 841-1000.
 

A: Wet basements are routinely a result of inadequate below grade waterproofing, non functional French drains, sump pump failures and the lack of grading the ground sloping away from the house. Residents may wish to contact a plumber and/or housing contractor since this is rarely a Public Works storm drain issue. Most storm drains are located in the street, away from the house. To speak with a Customer Service Representative, please call 410-222-7321 during business hours. If the road is a numbered route such as Rte. 2, 214, please contact Maryland State Highway at 410-841-1000.

A: The Bureau of Highways inspects and repairs sinkholes on County maintained roadways within the Right-of-Way. If this requires immediate attention or is potentially hazardous, please contact DPW Dispatch at 410-222-8400 or the non-emergency police number 410-222-8610.

A: The Bureau of Highways will respond to, investigate, and monitor current high water or flooded roadways. If this is related to street drainage or a clogged storm drain, please review those topics. If this is an emergency outside normal business hours, please contact DPW Dispatch at 410-222-8400.

A: Anne Arundel County does not provide sandbags during inclement weather. The Office of Emergency Management provides a list of private local businesses where they are available.

A: Call the Police and Fire Departments at 911 only in life-threatening emergencies or for emergency rescue services. The Police and Fire Departments will contact the Bureau of Highways if an emergency vehicle needs assistance to maneuver on a snow or ice-covered street.

A: Call the Police Non-Emergency Number at 410-222-8610. For fuel oil, dialysis appointments, or other needs, contact the Office of Emergency Management at 410-222-0600.

A: For life-threatening emergencies call 911. For more information about transportation to medical treatments such as dialysis, or for food or heat emergencies, contact the County’s Office of Emergency Management at 410-222-0600.

A: Visit the Snow Removal web page to determine if the County is responsible for treating (plowing or salting) your street.

A: All Interstates and State maintained numbered roads such as Rte 2 or MD214 are cleared by the Maryland State Highway Administration. Check the State's web site at http://www.sha.state.md.us/ for information about snow removal status. Submit an online Service Request to the Maryland State Highway Administration or call them at 410-841-1000.

A: The Department of Public Works Bureau of Highways is responsible for maintaining more than 3,500 lane miles in Anne Arundel County. However, other entities also have responsibility for treating and plowing roads, driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, etc. They include the Maryland State Highway Administration who clears Interstate and State-maintained roads (all numbered roads) in the County, Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation who monitors the busiest MoveAnne Arundel! bus shelters and bus stops, Anne Arundel County Public Schools who treats and plows school driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, etc., Federal Government Agencies within the County such as Fort Meade and NSA who clear driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, etc., Commercial parking lot owners plow their own properties and are prohibited from moving snow into the street, Homeowners Associations, and Incorporated municipalities such as Annapolis City and Highland Beach.

A: Yes. Before the snow falls, major roadways are pretreated with salt brine, a solution of salt and water. Salt brine prevents ice and frost from forming, makes snow removal easier and reduces the amount of salt needed to treat pavement after the snowfall. During the snowstorm, plowing begins when there is 2 inches of snow on the streets.

A: When the snow starts to fall, the County will treat (salt) bridges, hills, curves, and major arterial County roads. Once the snow accumulates to 2 inches or more, the County will begin to plow roads and will continue salting operations as needed.

A: All arterial and collector roads are continuously plowed, salted, and kept clear to bare pavement while it's snowing, to the extent practicable. This ensures that, in case of an emergency, every County resident is within close proximity of a cleared road. Neighborhood streets are made passable but not plowed to bare pavement.

A: The goal is to make neighborhood or residential streets passable, not necessarily to clear them to bare pavement.

A: Crews work continuously around the clock until all 4,751 lane miles of County-maintained streets are passable. The type of snow (wet or powdery), pavement temperature, ambient air temperature, neighborhood characteristics, and wind conditions affect how quickly snow can be removed. For more information regarding our service levels during inclement weather, please view our Travel Guide. However, here is a typical small snow event time frame:

• It takes about 16 hours following the end of a three-inch snowfall to plow and/or treat every major County road once. Additional time may be required to complete one pass through neighborhood streets. If our snowplow driver determines that your street meets our definition of passable, no further service will be provided.

A: Go to the County's Snow Removal Status Map or call 410-222-7321..

A: Go to the Snow Removal Status Map to determine if your street and/or service area has been plowed. If you believe your street has been missed, submit a missed street service request by visiting the Snow Removal web page or call the Storm Line at 410-222-4040.

A: The County has a workforce of up to 350 employees with 74 pieces of snow removal equipment that can be immediately expanded to include contractors with an additional 210 pieces of equipment, depending on the need. Staff work around the clock until all County maintained streets are passable.

A: Article 9, Section 1-710 of the Anne Arundel County Code requires property owners or occupants to clear their public sidewalks within within six hours after the fall of snow except that, if it snows between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., the owner, user, or occupant shall remove the snow and ice before 11:00 a.m. Residents who wish to report an unshoveled sidewalk can call the Police Non-Emergency Number at 410-222-8610. Reports must include an exact address.

A: Contact Risk Management at (410) 222-7630. or online

A: Try to wait to shovel the end of your driveway until crews have made one pass. We recommend parking your car in your driveway, if you have one. Crews can do a much better job clearing your street of snow without maneuvering around parked vehicles. When shoveling, stand facing the street and shovel snow to the right into the yard instead of into the street. This helps reduce the amount of snow the plow may re-deposit across driveway entrances.

A: Trees that have fallen on utility lines should be reported to BG&E at 1-800-685-0123. Report downed trees on County roads by calling Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321 or DPW Dispatch at 410-222-8400. Trees that have fallen on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.

A: Report “hot” wires or sparking wires, especially those across roadways, by calling 9-1-1.

A: The Bureau of Highways performs snow removal operations on all County-maintained streets. Requests can be called into one of the respective Road Maintenance Districts: Western at 410-222-6120, Eastern at 410-222-7940, or Southern at 410-222-1933.

A: The Bureau of Highways will evaluate a site to determine if there is a need for a sand/salt barrel. If there is already a sand barrel in place, please describe potential issues and provide a service location.

A: The County does not offer priority snow removal treatment for doctors or other such professionals. Offering priority plow treatments would take the Bureau of Highways out of its systematic plow operation and add considerable time to snow removal affecting all residents and commercial entities as well. The County understands the concerns over mobility during storms; especially given the array of professional responsibilities and obligations that many community members carry. In addition, the County is unable to provide priority plowing for other critical health care workers, high-level government officials, and executives of major enterprises. The County relies on community members to plan ahead and make emergency transportation arrangements with employers, employees, hospitals, offices or agencies; many of which offer four wheel drive vehicle service.

A: You may call Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321 who will then verify if your street is County-maintained or you may check the Know Your Roads web map to determine if your road is County maintained. 

A: Requests can be called into Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321 or may be submitted online here.

A: That depends on where the water is coming from. If the water comes from a County-maintained road or County-owned lot, then the County will investigate and determine responsibility. If the water is coming from your neighbor's private lot, it would be a civil matter between the two of you. Requests can be called into Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321 or may be submitted online here.

A: The Bureau of Highways picks up litter and debris along County roadways. Requests can be called into your appropriate road maintenance district. If the debris is on private property, it is the property owner's responsibility. Municipalities such as the City of Annapolis (410-263-7967) are responsible for their own roadways within their city limits.

A: The Bureau of Highways mows roadway median strips and other areas throughout the County on a scheduled basis. The amount of rain and/or available funding may adjust the schedule. Requests can be called into your appropriate road maintenance district. If this is for a County building such as a library, police and fire stations, senior centers and health centers, contact the Facilities Maintenance Division at 410-222-8100.

A: The property owner is responsible for cutting grass on private lots; however, if the grass exceeds 12", the Bureau of Highways will investigate under the Weeded Lot program to ensure the lot is cut. Requests can be called into Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321.

A: The Bureau of Highways trims street trees on an as-needed basis and removes hazard trees upon notice. Requests can be called into your appropriate road maintenance district

A: Please contact Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321 during business hours or DPW Dispatch at 410-222-8400 after hours. Bureau of Highways staff will remove a downed tree or debris if found on County maintained right-of-way. Homeowners are responsible for the removal of trees and debris on private property. If the tree is on private property but impeding a County roadway, staff will cut and remove the tree from the roadway but the homeowner must remove the private property debris.

A: If a County tree fell and damaged private property such as a fence, car or house, the individual should call their home insurance provider. In addition, please contact a Customer Service Representative at 410-222-7321. Homeowners must sign a waiver permitting DPW to enter private property and remove the tree, if deemed the appropriate course of action.

A: Residents may only request a new tree to replace one removed from the Right-of-Way. Bureau of Highways staff try to accommodate requests as soon as the next planting season arrives, but sometimes it may need to wait until the following planting season. A County Arborist may review the area and make a determination on what species of tree to plant. The size of the tree typically is determined by a number of factors that staff take into consideration. Large species are typically 2" in caliper and 10' tall and small species are 1 1/2" caliper and 7'-8' tall.

A: A Service Request for stump removal is automatically generated by tree maintenance staff, once the tree has been removed. The resident does not have to place a Service Request for this action. Due to funding constraints, the timeline for removal of a stump after a tree has been taken down, can exceed 12 months.

A: Individuals may contact Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321 to request the inspection, removal or pruning of a county maintained street tree. It could take up to 1 month for the inspection to occur depending on the need for consultation with the County Arborist. After the inspection, a door hanger will be left on the resident's door that contains information on the inspection status.

A: Residents are required to obtain a permit from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forestry Service to plant trees in the road right-of-way. Alternatively, residents may request that the County investigate planting a plant, subject to available funding.

A: Street Sweeping is scheduled monthly and is a joint effort between the Bureau of Highways and the Bureau of Watershed Protection to reduce the effects of pollutants in vulnerable watersheds. To improve the quality of service and the effectiveness of the sweeping program, vehicle owners are urged to find alternative parking while their streets are cleaned.

A: The Bureau of Highways clears away foliage, tree branches and low hanging branches around traffic signals, lights and signs located on County or state roadways. A representative from the Bureau will inspect and trim the overgrowth to provide a clear view. The timeframe to address issues varies based on season.

A: Tree maintenance staff will remove a tree limb that is broken or hanging in a tree located in the County right-of way as quickly as possible. The County does not prune or tend to private trees.

A: The County has no jurisdiction with utility clearance. Overhead electric wires are the responsibility of BGE 1 (877) 778-2222.

A: Tree care to include tree removal; planting; pruning or other maintenance is the responsibility of the Bureau of Highways for any County road rights-of-way and the State Highway Administration for trees in State road rights-of-way.

A: In the event there are significant weeds or invasive plants on county property, a representative from the County will investigate the area. Please Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321 and provide as much detail as possible to ensure the correct area will be inspected.

A: The Department of Public Works and the Department of Recreation & Parks maintain most asphalt and concrete bike paths throughout the County. The County DOES NOT maintain gravel or dirt paths. Please contact Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321.

A: Bureau of Highways maintenance staff will respond to emergency situations that result in County street flooding. Other non-urgent requests will be reviewed and inspected during normal business hours. Please contact Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321 during normal business hours or DPW Dispatch 410-222-8400 after hours.

A: A drainage investigation is the first step. In order to solve roadway drainage problems where there is no storm drain system or the existing system is failing or is inadequate, assistance will be requested from the Stormwater Infrastructure Program. Please contact Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321.

A: Driveway aprons are for the sole purpose of providing ingress and egress between private property and the public right-of-way. Since the apron benefits only the private property owner and not the general public, County policy requires that the private property owner be responsible for the maintenance of the apron and if present, the drainage pipe underneath. The driveway apron is that portion of the driveway that is within the public right-of-way.

A: The Bureau of Highways installs and repairs traffic control signs, street name signs, and signals along County-maintained roads. For sign and signal maintenance, please call (410) 222-1940. For after hours emergencies, please call DPW Dispatch at (410) 222-8400. To request a study for a new sign or signal, please call (410) 222-7331 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A: A permit is required to close a street for a block party or other event on a County maintained road. The first step in this process is to fill out and submit a permit application. Instructions o =n how to file for a permit can be found here.

A: If a crosswalk signal or accessible pedestrian signal (audible system) needs repair on a County, City or State roadway, a representative from the Traffic Engineering Division will inspect and repair the issue. Please call (410) 222-1940. For after hours emergencies, please call DPW Dispatch at (410) 222-8400.

A: Stop, Yield or Do Not Enter signs that are knocked down are treated as a priority for repair/replacement. The caller should provide the exact location/intersection, and direction of the damaged stop sign. Please call (410) 222-1940. For after hours emergencies, please call DPW Dispatch at (410) 222-8400.

A: The Traffic Engineering Division is responsible for the traffic signals along all County roadways. Please call (410) 222-1940. For after hours emergencies, please call DPW Dispatch at (410) 222-8400.

A: If a new traffic sign has been installed on a County street, a Traffic Engineer can provide details on why it was necessary. Please contact the Traffic Engineering Division for further details at (410) 222-7331.

A: Cameras located at intersections throughout the county provide live feeds to the Traffic Operations Center to monitor traffic flow. Data is not recorded. Residents may also view live camera feeds here.

A: The Traffic Engineering Division is responsible for establishing speed limits along County roadways. A representative from the Traffic Engineering Division will respond within 10 business days to further discuss the request and determine the appropriate course of action. Please contact the Traffic Engineering Division for further details at (410) 222-7331.

A: Residents may request deployment of a SMART (Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer) to assist in educating motorists as to the speed that they are traveling on neighborhood streets. This unit is placed on the roadway for a period of up to five (5) days, typically Monday through Friday. Please contact the Traffic Engineering Division for further details at (410) 222-7331.

A: The Division of Traffic Engineering replaces street name signs in the County. Please contact the Traffic Engineering Division for further details at (410) 222-1940.

A: County-owned streetlights are free-standing, mounted on metal or fiberglass poles. Functional issues with County-owned streetlights (such as an outage, steady burn, cycling on/off, leaning or knockdown) may be reported to the Traffic Engineering Division at (410) 222-7331. Streetlights mounted on wooden utility poles are owned and maintained by BG&E and may be reported online here or by calling 1.877.778.2222 to report streetlight issues within their service area.

A: For installation of a new guardrail where there is currently not one installed, please contact the Traffic Engineering Division at (410) 222-7331.

A: Please contact Highways Customer Care at (410) 222-7321.

A: If you would like to request a new street light or an upgrade to an existing street light, contact Traffic Engineering directly at (410) 222-7331 during business hours.

A: A permit is required to close a street for any type of special event (e.g. race, parade, festival, etc.). Further information is provided on the Department of Inspections & Permits website here. Alternatively, road closures associated with road construction activity, utility work, staging, or other impacts to the road right-of-way will require a permit from the Department of Public Works which provides further information provided here.

A: Requests for a speed hump must be submitted in writing to the Traffic Engineering Division, 2662 Riva Road, Suite 115, Annapolis, MD21401 by the President of the HOA or the local citizens association. If there is no active citizens association, a letter must be submitted by a chairperson of a neighborhood traffic committee that represents a cross section of streets in the community. This process only applies to County-maintained streets. For streets maintained by a municipality or private development, those respective bodies should be contacted for requests of this nature. The Traffic Engineering Division will assist with the establishment of a neighborhood traffic committee if one does not exist.

A: Lane markings wear and fade over time. The Traffic Engineering Division is responsible for investigating and renewing markings. Contact Traffic Engineering directly at (410) 222-7331 during business hours.

A: When driving through a traffic line painting operation or area, it is the driver's responsibility to be observant of the temporary traffic controls in place (warning signs, follow-up truck), traffic cones, etc.) and to pay special attention when attempting to cross over freshly painted lines. Traffic paint usually dries to the touch within a few minutes and should not track afterwards. If you wish to make a claim, please contact Risk Management at (410) 222-7630.

A: Concerns about sight distance for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists being limited or obscured by foliage, parked vehicles, signs or natural features along county maintained roadways will be evaluated and addressed by the Traffic Engineering Division. Contact Traffic Engineering directly at (410) 222-7331 during business hours.

A: Contact Traffic Engineering directly at (410) 222-7331 during business hours during business hours and DPW Dispatch at (410) 222-8400 after hours. If the streetlight is damaged and poses a hazard, please contact 911 and report the danger.

A: The Traffic Engineering Division is responsible for safety issues and traffic controls along county roadways. A representative of the Traffic Engineering Division will be in touch within 10 days to further discuss issues and necessary community involvement to determine the appropriate course of action. Contact Traffic Engineering directly at (410) 222-7331 during business hours.

A: The Bureau of Highways utilizes a Pavement Management System that systematically evaluates pavement conditions in the County. This system is used to develop annual paving (resurfacing) schedules consistent with annual budgets. A Pavement Web Map displays the streets that will be repaved during the annual construction season which generally runs from March through November.

A: The Bureau of Highways rates and prioritizes roads for resurfacing on a three year cycle. To find out where your road is on our schedule, please contact the Infrastructure Management Division at (410) 222-4349.

A. Your neighborhood streets will be resurfaced on the dates listed on the "NO PARKING" signs posted along the side of the streets. A range of dates allows for delays due to weather or equipment problems. These same dates are provided in advance of work by direct mail.

A. You can park your vehicle in your driveway or yard. You can also park in the County green space between the road and sidewalk, as long as you don't block the sidewalk.

A. Yes, you may leave your home at any time as long as you are very careful not to turn sharply or quickly on the fresh material. Doing so will damage the material and your car.

A. Damage will occur if you drive over the new surface within the first fifteen minutes. We would prefer you to wait forty-five minutes to an hour to do this. In emergency situations, feel free to leave whenever you need.

A. No. If you park your car on the unfinished side of the street, you force other cars to drive on the new surface, which will damage it. The other side of the street needs to be resurfaced as well, so it must be clear of vehicles at all times.

A. When all of the "NO PARKING" signs are removed from along the roadside you are free to park on the street.

A. Please contact Highways Customer Care at 410-222-7321.

A: Existing driveway aprons and drainage structures beneath the apron are in the public Right-of-Way (ROW), though they benefit the private property owner. Maintenance of these roadway features is the responsibility of the property owner. However, if the Bureau of Highways (BOH) is performing a roadway or concrete rehabilitation project within the neighborhood and determines work is required as part of the project, then the Bureau of Highways (BOH) will undertake the work.  

The Bureau of Highways contractor will perform all restoration work after the job is completed.

A: The Bureau of Highways, Infrastructure Management Division alerts residents to upcoming paving operations by a letter, website or signs that are posted in the neighborhood detailing anticipated start and completion dates. If spacing allows, variable message boards will state the anticipated work dates prior to starting.

A: Often paving or concrete crews generate noise during construction activities. Typical weekday construction hours are from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Night work is generally associated with highly traveled arterial roadways, and not utilized in neighborhoods where it is most disruptive.

The Bureau of Highways, Infrastructure Management Division (IMD) has an industry-accepted system for analyzing the conditions of the pavement for all 4,751 lane miles of roadways within the County by evaluating (14) individual defects. This system is based upon a numeric system referred to as Pavement Condition Index or PCI. IMD conducts this PCI survey on a triennial basis. If the road requires immediate repairs, please see the webpage entitled Road Maintenance Services.

A: To create a service request, please contact Highways Customer Care at (410) 222-7321 and provide a brief description of the issue and indicate if the curb/gutter is asphalt or concrete.

A: The paint either marks utility locations or the sections of sidewalks, curbing or roadway to be replaced. The colors identify the following utilities or activities: yellow –gas; blue –water; green –sewer; red-electric; white-proposed for replacement.

A: The County is in your neighborhood to do routine infrastructure maintenance. We are replacing segments of failed, faulted, or broken sidewalks and/or curbing. This work is not being done to improve the appearance of the sidewalk or curbing but to preserve public infrastructure.

A: A two-year schedule is developed for repairs. Approved funding ultimately determines what is scheduled and the level at which we are able to implement the program, which varies year to year. We spend the majority of the construction season in areas where the infrastructure is in greater need of repair.

A: Our contractor works on one side of the street at a time. From the posting of the "No Parking" signs and the start of digging, the work in front of your residence will ordinarily be completed within three to four days, weather permitting.

A: Three days after the apron is poured. Three days allow time for enough concrete curing to successfully hold a small, mid or large size car or SUV; however this is NOT sufficient time for LARGE TRUCKS OR MOVING VANS.

A: The contractor will perform all restoration work when construction is complete in front of each residence.

A: The simplest way is to go outside and ask the workers for the person in charge. They will put you in touch with their foreman or with our inspector. The inspector is usually in a white County vehicle with the County seal on the door or white company vehicle with identification markings. You should be able to receive answers to most of your questions at that time.

A: As soon as the "No Parking" signs are removed, you may park in front of your home.

A: Our contractor will work only within the public right-of-way. In many newer areas, the county has a right-of-way of 60 feet. It may be possible to get close to the property line by measuring 30 feet from the center of the road toward your home. If a sidewalk is present on your street, the property line is usually a foot behind it.

A: If damage is done to your property, you may contact the inspector for the contractor's information, or if you wish, you may contact Risk Management at (410) 222-7630.

A: We pour concrete when temperatures are 40° F and rising. Insulating blankets will be used if needed when it gets colder and a curing compound is used when the temperature rises to 85° F and above.

A: The County uses the Maryland State Highway Administration Mix #6, Air-Entrained Concrete. This concrete is strong enough to hold 2,500 to 3,000 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch), and is strong for residential and commercial uses.

A: The Bureau of Highways is charged with maintenance of existing infrastructure and in limited cases will connect missing links between stretches of previously existing sidewalk. To have new sidewalks installed, you must file a petition with the Office of Transportation.

A: The Bureau’s Road Acceptance Program allows a community to petition the county to accept an established private roadway into the County’s road maintenance system. The roadway must meet several requirements before being accepted. You can read more about the program here.

A: To apply to the County for road abandonment, a Road Abandonment Petition must be completed for each road requested. All owners of property abutting the petitioned road must agree to the abandonment and sign the petition. You can read more about the program here.

A: Anytime you occupy, use, or engage in any activity in a public right-of-way, you must receive permission from Anne Arundel County by acquiring a Public Right-of-Way Permit. This includes both paved and unpaved areas; above and below ground; and obstructing or impeding traffic. More information can be found on the right-of-way permitting page here.

A: See detailed information here.