Highways' Special Operations group is responsible for providing specialized support and equipment to maintain Harford County public roads throughout the County, to include Bridges, Sealing, Construction, and Drainage, who report to Dennis Jones, Assistant Superintendent. Signs, Striping and Grounds Maintenance report to Jim Swank, Assistant Superintendent. All crews work from our Administrative Office located at 1807 North Fountain Green Road, Bel Air, Maryland 21015.

DRAINAGE

The Highways Drainage Crew is staffed by ten employees who are responsible for protecting roads from the effects of water. This includes County easements along roadsides as well as between and behind private yards where drains are maintained.

Most assignments for the Drainage Crew are for pipe, culvert and drain repairs. Pipes installed during housing construction can separate or cave in, needing replacement. The Drainage Crew also maintains drainage for County sediment ponds. Pipes installed range from five foot diameter aluminum to fifteen inch concrete pipe.

To report a pipe cave in, or any other Harford County easement pipe, drain or culvert problem, please contact the Highways Administrative Office at 410-638-3532. After 3:00 p.m. weekdays or on weekends, report road emergencies (stop sign down, tree in road, missing manhole cover) to the Sheriff’s Office at 410-838-6600

SEALING & DITCHLINE MAINTENANCE

The Highways Sealing Crew is staffed by 12 employees who are responsible for both roadway ditchline maintenance and application of liquid asphalt and stone (tar & chip) to the road surface.

For ditchline maintenance, the Sealing crew removes excess top soil and foliage along the road shoulders as required to improve road drainage. Frost heave and vegetation growing along the ditchline require the road surface to be graded periodically to an elevation that will allow storm water flow from the road edge to the side ditch.

The Sealing Crew also applies an anti-skid surface to designated slick areas of the road.

Road sealing operations are dependent on weather, requiring a consistent temperature throughout the day and evening for the stones to adhere properly with the liquid asphalt. Harford County posts signs a week or more in advance to notify residents along the road, requesting that vehicles not be parked during sealing operations. After the road is swept, it is important that the road remains clear of all grass clippings and debris until the sealing is completed.

Additional information can be read in our "Shoulder Pulling Brochure".  To obtain a copy, contact Harford County Highways Administration Office at 410.638.3533.

To check if your road is scheduled for sealing or shoulder pulling, contact the Harford County Highways Administrative Office at 410-638-3533.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION

The Highways Construction Crew staff of 13 are responsible for grading and rebuilding earth roads, widening existing roads, curb repairs, installation of sediment control fabrics and replacement fencing and any major projects that improve sight distance at intersections. The Construction crew also works with Fire Headquarters and Hazmat staff during emergencies to clear debris and perform demolition of structures. As required, they construct access roads to Harford County parks.  They help develop new wetlands on County property where modifications to that property have impacted existing wetlands.

To report any earth road or site distance problem, contact Harford County Highways Administrative Office at 410-638-3533.

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

The Highways Grounds Maintenance crew consists of five employees who are responsible for mowing : County sediment control ponds, Harford County common ground areas in six neighborhoods, 77 roadsides to control noxious weeds and improve sight distances. Mowing our four Highway facilities is also their responsibility. Grounds Maintenance coordinates with District Shops for calcium chloride applications to earth roads for dust control.

The Grounds Maintenance crew coordinates and supervises the work of four contractual tree trimming crews, tree removal, roadside mowing and stump grinding.

Please direct your requests for the above services thru the Highways Administrative Office at 410-638-3533 from 7:00 a.m. thru 3:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. After 3:00 p.m. weekdays or on weekends or holidays, report trees down blocking the roadway to the Sheriff’s Office at (410) 838-6600.

BRIDGE CREW

Eight employees staff our Bridge Crew to maintain 204 bridges throughout Harford County. They are responsible for all bridge repairs and maintenance, including decking replacements, scouring graffiti from bridge walls, installing bridge guardrails, and resurfacing bridge walls with concrete. The Bridge crew also rebuilds bridge walls and builds the necessary forms. They coordinate their work thru the engineers in the Department of Public Works Bridge Program.

The Bridge Crew is tasked with maintaining various culverts and watershed drains. Salt dome repairs are also assigned to the Bridge personnel.

To request bridge repairs or graffiti removal contact the Highways Administrative Office at 410-638-3533. After 3:00 p.m. weekdays or on weekends, report road emergencies (stop sign down, tree in road, missing manhole cover) to the Sheriff’s Office at (410) 838-6600

ROAD MARKING/ LINE STRIPING

The Highways Road Marking Crew is responsible for painting all yellow and white lines on Harford County public roads. They also apply various legends (arrows, handicapped logo), stop bars and school crossing hatch marks. They work in coordination with the Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering staff for special road markings and with the District Offices for painting newly resurfaced roadways.

The Road Marking Crew consists of six employees who operate from the Highways Administrative Office located at 1807 N. Fountain Green Road, Bel Air, Md. 21015. They appreciate citizen cooperation and patience during line striping operations. Please obey the no passing signs and flagger directions to ensure the water based paint has dried prior to crossing the newly painted lines.

Please contact the Highways Administrative Office at 410-638-3533 to request repainting of yellow or white lines on Harford County public roads. All requests for new road marking should be directed to Transportation Engineering.

SIGNS

The Highways Sign Shop consists of five employees who are responsible for installation and maintenance of all Harford County traffic signs, delineators, and street signs. They fabricate street signs and many informational (blue & white) and guide (green & white) and miscellaneous specialty signs at the shop in the Administrative Office Bldg located at 1807 N. Fountain Green Road, Bel Air, Md. 21015. Other signs are prepared by private vendors for Highways Sign Crew installation.

To request replacement of missing or damaged signs on Harford County public roads contact the Highways Administrative Office at 410-638-3533 Monday thru Friday from 7:00 a.m. thru 3:00 p.m. After 3:00 p.m. weekdays or on weekends or holidays, report down or missing stop signs to the Sheriff’s Office at (410) 838-6600.. All requests for new signing should be directed to Transportation Engineering.