The Patapsco River bridge leading into downtown Ellicott City reopened to light traffic Saturday, almost two months after a deadly flood devastated the old mill town.
The portion of Frederick Road leading to Main Street had remained closed since July 30, when more than 6 inches of rain fell on Ellicott City within a few hours. Floodwaters gushed down Main Street, carrying two people and dozens of cars with it, and caused the Patapsco to rise by 14 feet.
The bridge was closed while work to repair and replace roadways, buildings and gas and sewer mains were conducted. State Highway Administration inspectors found the span to be safe to carry traffic a few weeks ago, spokeswoman Kelly Boulware said, but work continued up until Saturday reattaching pedestrian railings to the bridge and replacing a nearby gas main, according to Howard County spokesman Paul Milton.
Motorists heading west on the bridge from Oella can get only as far as Maryland Avenue, however, leading to uphill portions of Ellicott City along New Cut Road and College Avenue. Access remains restricted to Main Street between Maryland Avenue on the east and Old Columbia Pike on the west as work to repair damage and rebuild continues.
"We've opened it up as far as we can right now, to give those business owners and residents a chance to do their work," Milton said.
The rest of Main Street may not reopen until Oct. 6. On Friday, County Executive Allan Kittleman proposed that the County Council extend an emergency declaration for the downtown area until that date, at the request of residents and business owners. Without council action, the area is set to reopen Thursday.
Traffic on the bridge was light on Saturday, Milton said.