The 1200 block of Race St. in South Baltimore, which has been partially closed for more than seven years and fully closed since November of last year, has reopened after completion of repairs by the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. As a result of the reopening of the street, approximately 20 street parking spots have also reopened.
The 1200 block of Race St. is adjacent to the U.S. Post Office at 146 W. Ostend St., which is on a parcel that will be part of Phase 3 of the Stadium Square development. Stadium Square is a $250 million-plus, mixed-used development that will cover three consecutive blocks of South Baltimore in Sharp-Leadenhall and the South Baltimore Neighborhood between Cross St. on the north, Race St. on the east, Leadenhall St. on the west, and both sides of Ostend St. to the south. Phase 3 is expected to have a large retail component.
Baltimore City Department of Public Works press release:
BALTIMORE, MD — Work on the long-awaited Race Street project has been completed, Baltimore City Department of Public Works Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., announced today. Repairs were made to a collapsed stormwater line that also undermined and forced the closure of much of this South Baltimore Street for years.
In addition to restoring the century-old storm drain structure, improvements were made to sewer and water infrastructure, including the installation of a 10-inch sanitary line and 6-inch and 10-inch water mains.
The $2.4 million Race Street project began to move forward on November 2014, and consisted of nearly 0.8 acres located along Race Street between W. Cross Street and W. Ostend Street. During the project, Race Street was closed from W. Ostend Street to W. Cross Street, along with the intersection of Race Street & W. West Street.
“The Race Street Project demonstrates the importance of strengthening the City’s stormwater, water, and sewer infrastructure to promote healthier communities and cleaner waterways in the City of Baltimore,” said Director Chow. “Communities have the benefit of knowing that their streets and underground infrastructure are secure and safe.”
The Race Street work included:
Replacement of an existing box culvert and placement of new precast box culvert sections. Installation of water meters, house connections, new fire hydrants, and water valves. Removal and replacement of concrete sub-base and roadway asphalt surface.
The restoration of Race Street follows other infrastructure work this year by DPW, including repairs to a section of Moravia Road that had been undermined by an eroding stream bed along Biddison Run, and emergency work to correct a failing stormwater drain under Eager Street at Washington Street.
