Concrete Program

What to Expect

The Bureau of Highways follows certain criteria when implementing our replacement/maintenance program. Localized concrete or asphalt that is heaved, sunken, perpetually holding water, or severely cracked and deteriorated is considered for localized replacement. When all the concrete or asphalt sidewalk or curb/gutter is in this condition and localized replacement is not an option, total replacement is considered instead. Should you wish to speak to or meet with someone other than the on-site inspector, you may call the Highways Customer Care line at 410-222-7321.

The objective of the program is to maintain the public right of way in a fiscally responsible manner. The “patchwork” look that results following localized replacement may not be preferable, but this work is not done for aesthetic purposes. The new concrete or asphalt will change in appearance with time, weather and wear and will blend with the old. Total concrete replacement is reserved for roadways that have reached the end of their service life and is programmed along with the pavement work.

During construction, you can expect some inconvenience from noise and large vehicular traffic on your streets. The daily work hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Monday through Friday and, on rare occasions, Saturday mornings or afternoons. The total operation moves relatively quickly and is typically completed within one week. In some cases, the crew may finish its work at your residence within a day.

Typical course of events for concrete replacement:

1. The area or individual streets are marked by an inspector for replacement work.
2. Preconstruction Notices are distributed door-to-door with information regarding parking restrictions, impacts to trees, paint markings, ROW violations, and contact information.
3. "No Parking" signs are posted by the contractor.
4. Existing sidewalk and/or curb/gutter to be replaced will be saw cut or demolished and removed.
5. The existing subgrade is prepared or stone base course is placed and compacted and concrete forms are set prior to concrete delivery. The forms shape whatever is being poured with concrete (curbs, sidewalks, storm drain tops and throats, aprons, driveways, etc.) while it cures and hardens.
6. New concrete is placed and finished, but will remain “green” or soft for several hours to several days after placement before it can be walked or driven over. An apron or driveway requires at least three days before it is driveable, and concrete takes approximately thirty days to cure completely and achieve full strength.
7. The concrete forms are usually removed no later than the next day and backfilling with fill material or topsoil should occur at that time.
8. Any disturbed areas are seeded and covered with straw mulch to restore vegetative cover and prevent erosion.

Important Information for Homeowners

The County is not responsible for any items left or placed in the public right-of-way. Some commonly encountered items are irrigation systems, electric dog fences and basketball hoops. The County does not provide permits for installation of such objects in the County right-of-way and, under the County Code, they are placed illegally. Miss Utility does not mark underground electric fences or irrigation systems, so it is the homeowner/resident responsibility to let the Inspector know that these items are in place and to provide their precise location before digging begins. Neither the County nor the contractor will be responsible if these items are damaged.

Your driveway or walkway

Some concrete replacement of sidewalk, driveway aprons, and/or curb/gutter necessitates the replacement of a portion of the adjoining driveway or walkway due to changes in elevation. In these cases, every attempt is made to tie-in at an existing joint or along a straight saw cut (mechanically or manually). In most cases, the additional portion of driveway or walkway will be restored with like materials to what existed previously, including gravel, stone, asphalt or concrete. It is not possible to exactly match new material color to old because age and weather impact appearance. No guarantees can be made regarding color matching these materials.

Work privately performed for residents

Anne Arundel County does not endorse, inspect, guarantee, or handle payment for county contractors performing work on private property such as driveways or sidewalks when initiated by the property owner. If requested, Anne Arundel County can only provide the contact information for contractors that are already working in the neighborhood. You are encouraged to receive estimates from other sources for driveways and other appurtenances. The apron portion of your driveway, if existing, replaced in conjunction with sidewalk or curb/gutter replacement will be inspected by the County inspector.

Requests for New Sidewalks

Citizen requests for construction of new sidewalks in the public right of way may be submitted to the Office of Transportation, 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, 410-222-7440.